The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has faulted Standard Group-owned Spice FM for hosting an unqualified individual to discuss nutrition matters, warning that the move exposed the public to misinformation.
In a statement issued on Friday, February 6, the council said it had received a formal advisory from the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) over the appearance of Issa Habib on Spice FM on January 14, 2026, where he allegedly presented himself as a nutrition and dietetics expert.
KNDI condemned and disowned remarks made during the show, in which Habib described Kenya’s staple food, ugali, as “the most useless food that is out there,” claiming it had “zero nutritional value.”
During the same broadcast, Spice FM presenter Yolanda Mulwa added to the controversy by stating: “In fact we eat diabetes.”
According to KNDI, Habib is not a registered nutritionist or dietician and does not meet the professional qualifications required to offer public guidance on matters of nutrition and dietetics.
“The individual hosted is not registered and does not meet the standards set under the Nutritionists and Dieticians Act,” KNDI said, warning that such misrepresentation poses a risk to public health.
The Media Council urged media houses to exercise due diligence when inviting guests to discuss specialised professional subjects, advising them to consult relevant regulatory bodies to verify qualifications before airing such content.
MCK said investigations into the matter have been initiated under the provisions of Cap 2538, adding that broadcasters could face consequences for failing to uphold professional and ethical standards.
KNDI further directed that, with immediate effect, media outlets should only engage individuals duly registered by the institute when discussing nutrition and dietetics. The institute warned that engaging unregistered persons violates Sections 33 and 36(b) of the Nutritionists and Dieticians Act and could expose both the guest and the media house to legal action.
“Media enterprises are encouraged to use official channels to verify the status of any potential guests to ensure compliance with professional standards,” the council said.
The directive, MCK added, is aimed at safeguarding the public and ensuring that health-related information disseminated through the media is accurate, credible, and compliant with the law.
