Hefty fines, imprisonment loom for shisha dealers as government plans crackdown

Traders involved in the sale of shisha may soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law as the government readies an intensive crackdown on the banned product. 

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with security agencies, is finalising plans to bring the trade to a halt and hold culprits accountable.

Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni announced the crackdown during a community health promoters’ sensitisation and training workshop at Mahuti Catholic Church in Murang’a. 

She emphasised the government’s commitment to combating the importation, distribution, sale, and consumption of shisha.

The PS expressed concerns over the significant health risks posed by shisha, not only to users but also to those exposed to the smoke. 

“The danger extends to secondary consumers,” she said, adding that children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to deceptive packaging and lack of parental awareness.

The shisha ban, reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal in December 2024, prohibits all aspects of its trade. Violators face hefty fines and possible imprisonment.

To enforce this, a multi-agency task force, involving health and security stakeholders, will conduct simultaneous operations across the country, with local county security teams playing a central role.

The initiative will also target improperly labelled tobacco products, which often fail to disclose health risks to users. 

Community Health Promoters (CHPs are being equipped with knowledge on the effects of tobacco use and emerging trends to raise awareness within their communities.

She noted the government’s message is clear, that illicit tobacco trade will not be tolerated, and swift action is imminent. 

Traders are urged to abandon the illegal trade before the law catches up with them.

In 2017 the then Health Cabinet Secretary Mailu banned the importation, manufacture, advertising and sale of shisha in Kenya.

Mailu, in a gazette notice, said any person who will contravene any provisions of these rules will be liable to penalties contemplated in section 163 of the Public Health Act.

“No person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, use, advertise, promote, facilitate or encourage shisha smoking in Kenya, “read part of the gazette notice.