Original Story Published by: Andrew Wasike for Deutsche Welle
Photo Source: ©DW/A.Wasike
A growing number of Kenyans are giving up the meat they traditionally love in favor of plant-based diets. DW’s Andrew Wasike looked into a few cooking pots across Nairobi, where veganism is trending.
There is no denying that Kenyans, like many other Africans, love their steaks and ribs. Lamb, beef or chicken — whether slapped over the coals on the nyama choma grill, prepped as kebabs, or soaked in stews — are often on the menu of those who can afford it.
However, in the capital's Majengo slum, a community of around 200 people adhere to what they say is a "one hundred-percent animal cruelty-free lifestyle." They live, farm, socialize and pray together.
At lunchtime, they beat their drums to pay homage to nature before tucking into a hearty meal. The portions are generous — but where are the milk, eggs, and cheese?
"No, no, no, we don't consume any animal products. We say let animals live, let us live, let us eat what God has provided for us. Killing is not part of our policies. You feel this animal has life, let it live," John Mutai, a Rastafarian, told DW.
Over a plate of steamed rice, cabbage, fermented plants and fruits at Kilimanjaro restaurant in Nairobi, Esther Njeri told DW she initially cut meat out of her diet for health reasons.
"One day I attended a health talk and it finally made sense to me. Sinuses, allergies, asthma, skin irritations and the connection to what I was eating," she said.
"The problem was consuming animal products in the form of meat, or any other animal products. I moved from red meat to white meat only, then from white meat I moved to vegetarianism, and now I am a vegan."
