Let’s Talk About Common Struggles We as Kenyan Diabetics Face

Wah, being diabetic in Kenya is not a joke! Managing Type 1 diabetes is already a full-time job, but here, we have our own unique wahala. From the high cost of insulin to the never-ending stigma, life as a diabetic in Kenya comes with extra hurdles. But si ni life? Let’s talk about the common struggles we face every day.

 Insulin & Supplies – Hii Bei Ni Gani?

Insulin is literally our lifeline, lakini pesa iko wapi? Many of us have to hustle hard or rely on well-wishers to stay afloat. Worse still, some chemists run out of stock, forcing us to move from pharmacy to pharmacy like we’re on a treasure hunt! Did you know that the cost of insulin in Kenya can be two to three times what it costs in other countries? In some places, people get it for free or at highly subsidized prices. Meanwhile, here, we struggle to afford a single vial at Ksh 2,500 or more. And let’s not even talk about test strips, CGMs, and other diabetes supplies—hizo zinaongeza stress tu!

Stigma – "Ati uliharibu mwili na sukari ukajiletea hii"

Aki ignorance ni kitu mbaya. People out here think diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. Others assume you have Type 2 simply because you don’t “look sick.” And don’t get me started on the way some people pity us like we’re on our last breath—tafadhali, we’re living our best lives!

Hospitals – Mambo ya Kuenda Nairobi Pekee?

Let’s be real, if you need a good endo (endocrinologist), chances are utaambiwa uende Nairobi. But what about those in shags? Many diabetics in Kenya have to settle for general doctors who might not fully understand Type 1. Sometimes, they just prescribe the basics and tell you to “avoid sugar”—as if that’s all diabetes is about!

The sad truth is that we don’t have enough diabetes specialists in Kenya. For those outside major towns, access to proper care is a nightmare.

Food

Managing diabetes while eating Kenyan food is another struggle. We love our chapos, ugali, and mandazis, but carbs can be tricky. Sasa unajipata unakula sukuma na avocado daily, or you start googling “low-carb Kenyan meals” like a lost soul. And let’s not even talk about eating out—many restaurants don’t even list nutritional info, so inabaki tumebahatisha.

Finding affordable, diabetic-friendly options is tough.

Support Groups - Are We Just on Our Own?

In other countries, there are diabetic communities everywhere. Lakini huku? Ni struggle. Many of us feel alone in this journey because support groups are scarce. We need more local networks where we can share experiences, tips, and encouragement.

Finding people who truly understand what you’re going through can be a game-changer. Online communities help, but we also need physical meetups where we can connect and support each other.

Hii life ya diabetes si rahisi, but we keep pushing. The struggles are real, but the Kenyan diabetic community is strong. What struggles have you faced? Let’s talk, educate each other, and build a stronger Kenyan diabetic community.