NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 7 – Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has condemned the supply of shisha in Kenya, asserting that anyone involved in such activities should face legal consequences, irrespective of their social or political standing.
Duale emphasized that individuals running shisha establishments, commonly known as Shisha Dens, should be held accountable for their actions, without any special considerations based on their political affiliations.
“The Public Health (Control of Shisha Smoking) Rules, 2017 prohibit the import, manufacture, sale, use, advertising and promoting, and distribution of shisha,” he said following Friday night’s incident in which several journalists, who were accompanying police officers during a shisha raid, suffered severe injuries when confronted by bouncers at the Kettle Bar and Grill in Nairobi.
Duale made it clear that the law should apply uniformly, emphasizing, “Regardless of your status and political affiliation, owners of Shisha dens must face the law.”
“Attacking journalists and law enforcement officers is illegal, primitive, and immoral. We must protect our society from drug abuse,” he asserted.
The joint operation to crack down on shisha smoking was carried out by officials from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the police force.
The operation was prompted by reports of the club allowing patrons to smoke shisha on its premises. The establishment in question has connections to politician Millicent Omanga.
The operation, spearheaded by NACADA Chief Executive Officer Antony Omerikwa and Head of Enforcement Nicholas Kosgei, resulted in the successful arrest of multiple suspects and the confiscation of shisha paraphernalia.
