Participants took part in three walking categories designed to accommodate all fitness levels. The 10-kilometre route started from Tom Mboya, stretched to Dunga and wound back to Impala Park. The 5-kilometre group also walked from Impala Park to Dunga and back, while the 3-kilometre category began right at the Impala Park gate and looped inside the park. These walks served not only as physical activity but also as a symbolic show of solidarity in the fight against diabetes.

The festival offered a wide range of wellness activities, including aerobics and Zumba sessions, team-building exercises and a “Cook for Health” nutrition demonstration that highlighted the benefits of healthy eating in diabetes prevention and management. A key highlight of the day was the provision of free screening services, where participants were tested and educated on diabetes risk factors, symptoms and the importance of early detection.

Diabetes continues to be a major public health concern in Kenya. Thousands of adults live with the condition, and many remain unaware of their status until complications arise. The most common types include Type 1 diabetes, which is linked to insulin deficiency, and Type 2 diabetes, which is more prevalent and associated with lifestyle factors such as diet, weight, and physical activity. Symptoms may include frequent urination, increased thirst, fatigue, weight loss, slow-healing wounds, and blurred vision. Without timely management, diabetes can lead to serious complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.

At JOOTRH, diabetes clinics are held every Wednesday and Friday at the consultant’s clinic, where patients receive follow-up care, testing, medication reviews, and guidance on lifestyle modification.

The festival also saw the involvement of county leadership through the Department of Public Health and Sanitation, led by Director Frederick Oluoch, reinforcing the county’s commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.