The government has declared its intention to close down any entertainment venue caught selling Shisha within the nation.
This decision was reached during a meeting of high-ranking security officials chaired by Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua, aimed at devising new strategies to eliminate illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, speaking after the meeting held at the DP’s official residence, reiterated the government’s stance on the importation, manufacture, sale, use, advertisement, promotion, or distribution of Shisha, deeming it illegal in the country.
Illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse are a threat to the family unit and by extension, to the country's National Security.
The trajectory in proliferation and consumption of illicit brews and substance abuse is immensely and negatively impacting realisation of our Plan of… pic.twitter.com/vMiqTj7Mh2
— H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH (@rigathi) March 6, 2024
As stated in the released statement, county security teams have been instructed to immediately enforce this directive: “The importation, manufacture, sale, use, advertisement, promotion, or distribution of shisha is outlawed in the country, any establishment found in breach of this provision will be shut down with immediate effect.
County Security Teams are required to enforce this prescription without fail.”
This move comes in the wake of intensified efforts by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to crack down on entertainment establishments selling Shisha.
In a recent operation, authorities apprehended four individuals at Oyster Bay Cafe Restaurant in Kilimani, Nairobi, for their involvement in the sale and distribution of Shisha products.
The detained individuals included the manager, sellers, and a storekeeper associated with the establishment.
Similar arrests were made at the recently reopened Quivers, Eastlands club, indicating a concerted effort by NACADA to disrupt networks facilitating Shisha sales and distribution.
NACADA emphasized the importance of these arrests in combating Shisha consumption, particularly among the youth, citing the significant health risks associated with its use: “We are committed to dismantling the networks facilitating the sale and distribution of shisha, which poses significant health risks to our citizens, particularly the youth.”
