The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has intensified its crackdown on shisha dens, leading to the arrest of two individuals at a city club in Lang’ata. The operation, conducted on Wednesday night, saw enforcement officers raid a lounge and confiscate a large consignment of shisha products.
The sting operation was led by NACADA’s Director of Compliance and Enforcement, James Koskei, who reiterated the authority’s commitment to enforcing the ban on shisha. Koskei emphasized that the operation was part of routine compliance checks aimed at curbing the illegal sale and use of shisha within the city.
“NACADA is the body mandated to control alcohol and drug abuse in the country. We are here this evening on our normal routine compliance checks on this facility. We are coming here specifically to enforce the shisha rules,” Koskei stated.
This crackdown follows a decisive ruling by the Court of Appeal, which upheld Gazette Notice No. 292 of 2017. The legal notice prohibits the sale, promotion, and use of shisha in Kenya. The appellate court dismissed a petition challenging the ban, reinforcing NACADA’s authority to implement and enforce the law against shisha trade.
“We all know that the shisha rules under Gazette Notice No. 292 of 2017 are in force. Our Court of Appeal in December managed to throw away the petition that had been filed against that particular Gazette Notice,” Koskei explained.
During the raid, NACADA officers seized 39 shisha bongs, 11 cartons of charcoal, 12 cartons of assorted flavors, and 13 charcoal carriers. Among those arrested were a shisha seller and a supervisor, who are expected to face legal action for violating the shisha ban.
The enforcement of the shisha ban has been a contentious issue since its introduction in 2017, with some business owners and consumers opposing the prohibition. However, NACADA has remained steadfast in its efforts to curb the use of shisha, citing health concerns and its potential link to other drug abuse.
The intensified operations signal NACADA’s unwavering stance on eliminating shisha trade in the country. Authorities have warned that similar crackdowns will continue across various establishments found flouting the law.
The arrested individuals will be charged under the relevant laws governing the sale and use of banned substances. Meanwhile, NACADA has urged business owners to comply with the law to avoid penalties and potential closure of their establishments.
With this latest crackdown, NACADA sends a strong message that it will not relent in its fight against illegal shisha trade in Kenya.
