In a strategic effort to enhance its response to the public health challenges posed by tobacco use, Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening tobacco control in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). A high-level bilateral meeting held at Afya House in Nairobi brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and the WHO to advance the country’s tobacco control agenda.
The meeting was led by Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and the WHO Country Representative and Chief of Mission, Dr Abdourahmane Diallo. Central to the discussions was the need to accelerate proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Bill. These reforms are intended to modernize Kenya’s legal and regulatory framework governing the production, sale, advertising, and consumption of tobacco products, aligning it with current global standards and best practices.
A key outcome of the meeting was WHO’s commitment to support Kenya in strengthening its national laboratory capacity. This initiative aims to enable independent verification of tobacco products, which is critical for effective regulatory oversight and public protection. The move is expected to fortify Kenya’s ability to enforce compliance and ensure tobacco products meet health and safety standards.
Hon. Duale outlined Kenya’s ongoing progress in tobacco control and requested WHO’s technical assistance in initiating a comprehensive review of the Tobacco Control Act of 2007 and its associated regulations. He emphasized the importance of updating enforcement mechanisms at the county level. This includes enhancing inspection protocols, building local capacity, improving cessation services, and integrating tobacco control into the Ministry’s expanding digital health infrastructure.
Further strengthening this collaboration, WHO reiterated its support for Kenya’s public health initiatives, particularly highlighting the successful transition of over 9,000 farmers from tobacco cultivation to alternative, health-promoting crops such as high-iron beans. This agricultural shift not only supports national health objectives but also contributes to sustainable economic development.
The meeting concluded with a strong reaffirmation of Kenya’s dedication to upholding its obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Hon. Duale emphasized that the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ right to the highest attainable standard of health, as enshrined in the constitution.
He was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Health, including the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, the Director General for Health, and technical experts. The joint engagement with WHO underscores a shared vision to curb the health and economic burden of tobacco use in Kenya through evidence-based, multi-sectoral strategies.
