Shisha smoking, a practice banned in Kenya several years ago, has made a comeback in Eldoret town, with bar owners and traders openly violating the law.
According to the government, no person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, use, advertise, promote, or distribute shisha in Kenya.
However, bar owners and traders continue to defy the ban, with over 10 people being arraigned in court in the past month for using and smoking shisha against the law.
On April 23, two men, Emmanuel Kipng'eno and John Shituma, were charged before Principal Magistrate Mogire Onkoba for violating the ban on the use of Shisha after they were arrested consuming the substance at a bar in Langas estate.
The duo pleaded guilty to contravening the Public Health Act of 2017 and were each fined Sh10,000 or served a three-month jail term.
Uasin Gishu County police commander Ayub Gitonga has directed officers to intensify crackdowns on those involved in the illegal business of selling and serving customers shisha in nightclubs.
“The law is clear that smoking and general use of shisha is illegal. Anyone found smoking or using it will be arrested and charged in a court of law,” said Mr. Gitonga.
Kenya has joined Tanzania and Rwanda as countries in the region that have banned the substance, citing severe health risks associated with shisha smoking.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), shisha smokers in a single session inhale the smoke of 100 or more cigarettes.
Those who flout the rules will face a fine not exceeding Sh50,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months.