The government has declared its intent to close down any entertainment establishment caught selling Shisha in the country.
This decision comes in the wake of a high-level meeting convened by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, where top security officials discussed measures to combat illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse.
Following the meeting held at the official residence of the Deputy President, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, in a statement, emphasized that the importation, manufacture, sale, use, advertisement, promotion, or distribution of Shisha is prohibited nationwide.
“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,” said Kindiki.
This directive aligns with recent efforts by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to crack down on entertainment joints involved in Shisha sales.
Over the weekend, four individuals, including the manager, sellers, and a storekeeper at Oyster Bay restaurant in Kilimani, Nairobi, were arrested for their roles in the sale and distribution of Shisha products.
Similar arrests took place at the newly reopened Quivers Eastlands club, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat the consumption of Shisha.
NACADA expressed commitment to dismantling networks facilitating the sale and distribution of Shisha, emphasizing the substantial health risks it poses to citizens, especially the youth.
