At the recent Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference held in September 2024 in Malta, International Institute of Legislative Affairs (IILA) was well represented by Stephen Ogweno, from Stowelink Foundation, in a presentation on our collaborative digital advocacy campaign against trans fats. The abstract authored by Rose Nabwire (IILA) and Oduor Kevin (Stowelink Foundation) titled “Harnessing Social Media for Tackling Trans Fats: Advocacy Efforts and Implications on Cardiovascular Health,” highlighted our work toward creating a Trans Fat Free Kenya and the important role of digital platforms in driving this mission forward. It showcased IILA’s campaign to reduce the harmful use of industrial trans fats in food products. Through partnerships with digital advocates, we continue to mobilize an impactful social media movement, #TransFatFreeKenya, dedicated to educating the public, engaging policymakers, and pushing for regulatory change to protect public health.

Our digital advocacy has leveraged social media channels, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, to spread crucial messages about the health risks associated with trans fats. Through vibrant infographics, educational posts, and online discussions, our campaign continues to reach broad audiences and sparked vital conversations about cardiovascular health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Rallying diverse voices across Kenya and the East African Community (EAC) helped us amplify our message, reaching key stakeholders, including government bodies and public health organizations.

A core achievement of this campaign was the engagement of digital advocates who, under IILA’s coordination, remain committed to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes on trans fat regulation. The result has been a broad movement that has grown in strength, creating a lasting presence in Kenya and East Africa’s public health discussions and highlighting the need for the elimination of industrial trans fats from the food supply. The presentation was well received at the conference, with participants recognizing the innovative use of digital platforms to drive advocacy on such a critical health issue. While IILA was unable to attend the conference in person, we were honored to have Stowelink Foundation represent our collaborative efforts and share our progress with a global audience. Their powerful representation emphasized how strategic partnerships can extend the reach of public health campaigns and inspire cross-border discussions on policy reform.

Moving forward, IILA remains committed to harnessing digital strategies in partnership with advocates across sectors to bring about meaningful change in public health policies. Our collaborative campaign for a Trans Fat Free Kenya and a Trans Fat Free EAC region marks a key milestone in our mission to improve health outcomes through advocacy and evidence-based legislation. We invite you to continue following our journey as we strive for a healthier Trans Fat Free Kenya, and a Trans Fat Free EAC!