Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof John Akama has challenged local communities to embrace indigenous foods to avert lifestyle diseases which are associated with bad eating and drinking habits.
Prof Akama said traditionally, people embraced indigenous foods which are nutritious and hardly contracted life threatening diseases such as cancer.
Speaking at the University on Thursday during the university's fourth day of its Cultural Week, Akama underscored the importance for the public to embrace traditional foods and positive eating and drinking habits to keep lifestyle diseases at bay.
"Traditionally, our people used to eat indigenous foods which were very nutritious and they hardly developed complications linked to eating habits as is the case currently,” stated the VC.
He observed that majority of the cancer cases and other lifestyle diseases reported in the country and other parts of the world are linked to bad eating and drinking habits.
He encouraged residents to embrace cultivation and consumption of indigenous foods as part of efforts to preserve their cultural values and ensuring they live healthy lifestyles.