Written by Kelly Were
ELDORET, Kenya — May 31, 2025
In a sweeping move to protect public health and intensify the fight against drug abuse, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has suspended all existing licences for the importation, manufacture, and distribution of nicotine products, effective immediately.
Speaking at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) during World No Tobacco Day, Duale announced that all previously licensed individuals and companies must reapply within 21 days and submit full compliance documentation under the Tobacco Control Act, 2007.
“To enforce the Tobacco Control Act and other applicable laws, the Ministry has halted all licences and import clearances for the sale and promotion of nicotine and related products,” the CS declared.
Duale presided over the destruction of 5.5 tonnes of seized illegal and harmful substances, including shisha, gutkha, and flavoured e-cigarettes, describing the moment as a powerful stand against the industry’s growing threat to youth and national well-being.
Citing Kenya’s commitment to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, Duale said the crackdown is both a legal and moral obligation.
“These products are deliberately designed to lure young people,” he warned. “They contain chemicals that damage the brain, lungs, and compromise long-term health.”
He praised the Border Management Committee—including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Immigration, Security agencies, and Port Health—for their vigilance in intercepting these illicit goods before they reached the public.
In addition, Duale announced heightened surveillance at all entry points, ensuring that no nicotine-based products slip through Kenya’s borders.
Joining Duale at the event were Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni, who reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fostering a healthier Kenya, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Philip Kirwa, alongside Senior Director for Administration and Finance Benjamin Tarus, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, and Tobacco Control Board Chairperson Naomi Shaban.
As Kenya tightens the noose on the tobacco trade, officials urge all players in the nicotine industry to comply with the updated legal requirements—or face swift legal consequences.
