Members of Parliament convened on Wednesday to advocate for the prohibition of Velo, a nicotine-based substance believed to be increasingly misused by Kenyan youths.
During the parliamentary session, nominated MP Sabina Chege raised concerns and directed inquiries towards Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha. Chege urged the CS to provide comprehensive information about the pharmaceutical composition of Velo, emphasizing its addictive properties and potential side effects.
CS Nakhumicha was summoned to address the National Assembly’s inquiries, where Chege further requested clarification on the regulatory measures established by the Ministry of Health to prevent minors from accessing the substance.
Chege pointedly inquired, “Has this substance surreptitiously infiltrated the Kenyan market under the guise of a rebranded product following the government’s 2019 ban on ‘lift’?”
The MP expressed the need for transparency regarding the origin of Velo, asking whether it is produced within Kenya and if so, by whom, along with detailed manufacturing specifics.
As she concluded her remarks, Sabina Chege unveiled two samples of the Velo substance, emphasizing her intention to display them in the house as evidence of its nature.
In her closing statement, Chege asserted that the substance should be banned pending a thorough investigation to safeguard the well-being of Kenyan youth, asserting, “This way, we can protect our generation and our children.”
Nominated MP Nyakerario Mayaka joined the discussion, highlighting the distinction between the Velo product available in Kenya and that sold in countries like Australia. Mayaka noted that the Kenyan variant appears to be more addictive and is readily accessible without age verification, even at petrol stations.
Mayaka shared her own experience, saying, “I can tell you, from personal experience, to understand how it works: for five minutes, Velo takes you to heaven and quickly brings you back to Earth.”
In response to the MPs’ concerns, CS Nakhumicha clarified that Velo products introduced by the tobacco industry are non-pharmaceutical substances composed of organic nicotine derived from tobacco leaves. She affirmed that regulatory measures are already in place, treating Velo as a tobacco product subject to the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act of 2007.
Nakhumicha emphasized that the Ministry of Health would fully support the removal of Velo from the market if such a decision were made. She indicated that the ministry has assembled a technical team to review and potentially amend the Tobacco Act of 2007.
Regarding the origin and distribution of Velo, Nakhumicha revealed that the product is imported from Hungary and distributed within Kenya by BAT Kenya Limited. She emphasized that all nicotine pouches available in the market are imported products.
