Skip to content 
Guiding Principles
The Diabetes Awareness Trust (DAT) is driven by a vision to be a trusted source of information and guidance on diabetes, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and healthy living. Rooted in the guiding principles of integrity, transparency, excellence, and innovation, DAT believes in doing the right thing, thinking differently, and sharing knowledge openly. These values shape every intervention—ensuring that every campaign, community training, or policy engagement is focused on empowering people to live healthier lives. DAT’s strategic direction focuses on amplifying community voice, strengthening health systems through data-driven programming, and influencing policy decisions to ensure diabetes and NCD prevention is not just a health issue but a national development priority.
DAT’s goals are strategically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Through its programs, DAT promotes preventive healthcare, nutrition education, and evidence-based decision-making to reduce the incidence of diabetes and related diseases. The organization also contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by ensuring that women, caregivers, and youth are empowered as central actors in community health interventions. DAT’s research and monitoring efforts enhance local data systems, supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration across civil society, government agencies, and academic institutions.
The fruits of DAT’s work are visible in increased public awareness, more inclusive community participation, and improved nutrition outcomes. For example, DAT has established community-driven advocacy groups, trained health workers, and developed educational campaigns that have reached millions of Kenyans. These initiatives have strengthened consumer knowledge on the risks of unsafe foods, the importance of healthy eating, and the value of psychosocial support for people living with chronic conditions. As a result, DAT has contributed to reducing stigma around diabetes, improving dietary behaviors, and enhancing the capacity of communities to prevent and manage NCDs effectively.
DAT’s work is also strongly aligned with the Government of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), especially under its health and food and nutrition security pillars. By focusing on grassroots empowerment, DAT helps drive access to universal health coverage (UHC) through community awareness, early diagnosis, and affordable management of NCDs. In the area of food security, DAT supports nutrition-sensitive programming by promoting safe, culturally appropriate, and nutritious food systems. Through policy advocacy and public education, the Trust complements national efforts to reduce the health and economic burden of NCDs and ensures that Kenya moves closer to a healthier, more equitable future.
