Category: HEALTH

Kemsa Welcomes the appointment of Dr. Mlongo into the Health Docket

KEMSA Board Chair and Farmers Party, Hon Irungu Nyakera addressing a past event

The government health chain and Supply Authority, Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA) has welcomed and congratulations the appointment of Dr. Mlongo Barasa to the Health Docket.

The Health docket fell vacant when the former CS was shown the door by the recent cabinet dissolving by President Ruto a move which left all Cabinet Secretaries jobless.

The KEMSA board chairman, Irungu Nyakera, and Farmers Party Patron led the move of congratulations note.

Irungu termed the move to appoint the President as timely, saying Dr. Mlongo deserved the post because of her well-versed experience in the field.

“Dr. Mlongo is an astute professional with over 15 years of experience as a medical doctor, specializing in Internal medicine and infectious diseases.” Irungu Nyakera quotes.

Nyakera added, “She has proven leadership skills and is goal-oriented, seeking to offer compressive, quality care through consultancy, leadership, and capacity building. She has taken on Kenya’s critical assignment in the sector, including addressing outbreaking prone infections.

The KEMSA Board Chair said the authority looks forward to working with Dr. Mlongo.

“We forward to working with Dr. Deborah Mlongo to achieve our organizational mandate of providing cost-effective supply chain solutions as the backbone of healthcare services in Kenya through last-mile delivery to more than 15,000 health facilities Countrywide,” Nyakera said.

The docket was previously held by Susan Nakumincha.

July 20, 2024
Kenya’s Fight Against Rising Poverty, Insights from the 2024 National Review Report

The Launch of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Voluntary National Review Report 2024

By Melisa Mongina

Kenya’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Forum has released the 2024 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report, marking an important step towards achieving the SDGs. Poverty, one of the indicators in the implementation of SDGs has been listed among the various challenges affecting the country’s economy due to its rapid rise.

In his speech on Wednesday during the report overview of SDGs, Samuel Kimote cited poverty as one of the indicators that has affected and reduced the country’s performance in the implementation of SDGs, adding that they are focusing on its eradication as CSOs.

“When you look at goal number one, poverty, you can note that it is increasing. In 2015 we were at 38.6% but currently, we are at 39.8%. This shows that poverty is increasing and whatever we do as CSOs remains relevant. This year’s theme is reinforcing the agenda 2030 focusing mostly on eradicating poverty in Kenya,” said Kimote.

He further stated that their main focus as CSOs on goal number one was to ensure poverty ends in Kenya.

“The methodology that we followed to come up with this plan was highly consultative. Each CSO noted their contribution to ending poverty in Kenya,” added Kimote.

Kimote emphasizes that there should be clarifications from the government as to why poverty continues to rise despite the economic growth reported in the 2024 economic survey.

“The government has provided the data. The report has only documented the collective efforts of all involved. For example, goal number one states that poverty has increased. So the government will tell us why that is so, yet the 2024 economic survey states that the country is growing at 5.6%,” said Kimote.

The 2024 VNR report gives a balanced insight, detailing both the accomplishments and the obstacles encountered over the past four years. The report emphasizes the vital contribution of various stakeholders, particularly civil society organizations, in promoting sustainable development.

According to Benson Kimani from UNDP Kenya, the increase in poverty has raised a lot of concerns despite having 17 goals that are equal and undivided.

“I think despite us having 17 goals which are all important and undivided, we realized something that is of great importance to us stakeholders which is the increase in poverty. In 2014 Kenya made a deal to move from a low-income economy to a medium-income economy,” noted Kimani.

George Awala, Co-chair of the SDGs Kenya forum, states that a lot of people are now falling into poverty than before thus urging the civil society, government, UN agencies, academia, and private sector to have a deep look at the situation.

“More people are falling into poverty than previously. We need to ask ourselves what we can do as a civil society. What can the government do? What can the UN agencies do? What can the private sector do? and also what can academia do? And I think the value of having a platform where we all come together to discuss issues around SDGs is that richness that comes from all these different players being able to talk, dialogue, and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard,” noted Awala.

Festus Wangwe, Director of Planning in the State Department of MSME, noted that the progress among key indicators such as poverty is not performing well. Further, he added that for them to reach their Vision 2030 target, their efforts need to be redoubled.

“What is of concern is that the progress registered in all the SDGs indicators remains on a soft track, which means we are unlikely to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Unfortunately, the progress among key indicators such as poverty is not performing well. So it implies that we need to redouble our efforts if we have to make significant progress towards the achievement of these goals,” emphasized Wangwe.

The 2024 VNR report has offered a detailed account of Kenya’s progress since the last review in 2020.

July 4, 2024
The global peace leadership conference offers prayers for Kenya

The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, Executive Director, Abdirahman Ismail made his summation during the prayers held for Kenya at the GPLC Africa Conference that was held in Kenya from the 25th – 27th of June 2024

Participants at the ongoing Global Peace Leadership Conference that kicked off
on the 25th of June 2024, today offered prayers for Kenya following the rejected finance bill protests.

In place of the opening ceremony that was canceled in respect of the ongoing protests around the Finance Bill, participants led by Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka Ph.D, the Regional Representative for Africa, Global Peace Foundation, wished for a quick resolution to the issues as raised by the protesters.

“We are one family under God, so we have gathered to pray for this nation. If we do not we will fail in our responsibility as humans who share this same walk as Africans. We ask the nation of Kenya not to be afraid. We know that Peace will prevail because God has the power to restore peace”, said Fr. Canice.

The GPLC Africa 2024, organized by the Global Peace Foundation in partnership with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya among other partners aimed to promote peace, development, and cooperation across the continent. Over the three days of the conference participants will focus on emphasizing Africa’s unique heritage, spirituality, and traditional values in the push for a renewal of African approaches to peace and sustainable development.

Following the prayers, the event proceeded with discussions in various breakout sessions that included the family track themed Familial Relationships, Roles and Leadership, Community-Driven Peace building Track: themed Local Leadership with Moral Authority; A Catalyst of African Renaissance.

Speaking during the Community Driven Peace Building Track, Rev. Dr. Sam Kobia, Chairman of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission stressed the need for Africa to come together in one voice when speaking to key issues affecting the continent such as a largely disenfranchised public with poor leadership, poverty and lack of development.

“The basic ethos of Ubuntu is I am because you are. This therefore means that if you are not at peace with yourself, with your neighbor, with God, and with the environment then we should admit that something is fundamentally missing. Ubuntu is both an important philosophy and process for us to achieve peace in Africa,” said Kobia.

The GPLC Africa 2024 brings together renowned leaders, scholars, and activists dedicated to fostering global peace and cooperation. The GPLC Africa 2024 is expected to issue the Africa Renaissance Nairobi Declaration on 27th June, after the conference themed; One Family Under God: Empowering African Renaissance as a Global Catalyst For Freedom, Peace and Sustainable Development.

June 27, 2024
Air Pollution Linked to 8.1 Million Deaths Worldwide in 2021, Emerging as the Second Leading Cause of Mortality, Including Among Children

Air pollution is having an increasing impact on human health, becoming the second leading global risk factor for death,
according to the fifth edition of the State of Global Air (SoGA) report.

The report, released today by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), an independent U.S.-based nonprofit research organization, found air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021. Beyond these deaths, many more millions of people are living with debilitating chronic diseases, putting tremendous strains on healthcare systems, economies, and societies.

Produced for the first time in partnership with UNICEF, the report finds that children under five years old are especially vulnerable, with health effects including premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, and lung diseases.

In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to more than 700,000 deaths of children under five years old, making it the second-leading risk factor for death globally for this age group, after malnutrition.

A staggering 500,000 of these child deaths were linked to household air pollution due to cooking indoors with polluting fuels, mostly in Africa and Asia.

A Global Health Concern
The new SoGA Report offers a detailed analysis of recently released data from the Global Burden of Disease study from 2021 that shows the severe health impacts pollutants like outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), household air pollution, ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are having on human health around the world.

The report includes data from more than 200 countries and territories around the world, indicating that nearly every person on earth breathes unhealthy levels of air pollution every day, with far-reaching health implications.

More than 90 percent of these global air pollution deaths – 7.8 million people – are attributed to PM2.5 air pollution, including from ambient PM2.5 and household air pollution. These tiny particles, measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, are so small they remain in the lungs and can enter the bloodstream, affecting many organ systems and increasing the risks for noncommunicable diseases in adults like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the report, PM2.5 is the most consistent and accurate predictor of poor health outcomes around the world.

“We hope our State of Global Air report provides both the information and the inspiration for change,” said HEI President Dr. Elena Craft. “Air pollution has enormous health implications. We know that improving air quality and global public health is practical and achievable.” Air Pollution and Climate Change PM2.5 air pollution comes from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass in sectors such as transportation, residential homes, coal-burning power plants, industrial activities, and wildfires. These emissions impact people’s health and contribute to the greenhouse gases that are warming the planet. The most vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by both climate hazards and polluted air.

In 2021, long-term exposure to ozone contributed to an estimated 489,518 deaths globally, including 14,000 ozone-related COPD deaths in the United States, higher than in other high-income countries.

As the world continues to warm from the effects of climate change, areas with high levels of NO2 can expect higher ozone levels, bringing even greater health effects.

For the first time, this year’s report includes exposure levels and related health effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), including the impact of NO2 exposures on the development of childhood asthma.

Traffic exhaust is a major source of NO2, which means densely populated urban areas, particularly in high-income countries, often see the highest levels of NO2 exposure and health impacts.

“This new report offers a stark reminder of the significant impacts air pollution has on human health, with far too much of the burden borne by young children, older populations, and low- and middle-income countries,” said Dr. Pallavi Pant, HEI’s Head of Global Health who oversaw the SoGA report release.

“This points sharply at an opportunity for cities and countries to consider air quality and air pollution as high-risk factors when developing health policies and other noncommunicable disease prevention and control programs.”

Children’s Health
Some of the greatest health impacts of air pollution are seen in children. Children are uniquely vulnerable to air pollution and the damage from air pollution can start in the womb with health effects that can last a lifetime.

For example, children inhale more air per kilogram of body weight and absorb more pollutants relative to adults while their lungs, bodies, and brains are still developing.

Exposure to air pollution in young children is linked to pneumonia, responsible for 1 in 5 child deaths globally, and asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disease in older children. The inequities linked to the impact of air pollution on child health are striking.

The air pollution-linked death rate in children under the age of five in East, West, Central, and Southern Africa is 100 times higher than their counterparts in high-income countries.

“Despite progress in maternal and child health, every day almost 2000 children under five years die because of health impacts linked to air pollution,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden.

“Our inaction is having profound effects on the next generation, with lifelong health and well-being impacts. The global urgency is undeniable. Governments and businesses must consider these estimates and locally available data and use it to inform meaningful, child-focused action to reduce air pollution and protect children’s health.”

Progress is Being Made

The SoGA report provides good news as well. Since 2000, the death rate linked to children under five has dropped by 53 percent, due largely to efforts aimed at expanding access to clean energy for cooking, as well as improvements in access to healthcare, nutrition, and better awareness about the harms associated with exposure to household air pollution.

Many countries, particularly those experiencing the highest levels of air pollution, are finally tackling the problem head-on. Air quality actions in regions like Africa, Latin America, and Asia, such as installing air pollution monitoring networks, implementing stricter air quality policies, or offsetting traffic-related air pollution by moving to hybrid or electric vehicles, are all having measurable impacts on pollution and improving public health.

While progress is being measured, more can be done to stop air pollution from continuing to outrank other health risks as one of the biggest threats to millions of lives.

June 15, 2024
“Uniting Faith and Science to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Africa: A Groundbreaking Conference”
A group photo for the Stakeholders during the Cervical Cancer Conference at Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi.

By James Nyaigoti,

The Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI) and the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network-Africa (JENA), in collaboration with key stakeholders including KILELE Health Association and the African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA), recently convened a pivotal three-day conference themed “Uniting Faith and Science to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in Africa.”

Held from June 11-13, this significant event brought together faith leaders, experts, Civil Society Organizations and policy makers, to discuss comprehensive strategies for combating cervical cancer across Africa.

Father Charles Chilufya, Chair of the Convening Preparation Committee for AHETI, emphasized the vital discussions, innovative strategies, and actionable outcomes that emerged from the conference.
- Establishing new partnerships and strengthening existing ones among faith-based organizations, health authorities, advocacy and community groups to enhance the reach and effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention efforts is vital.
- Capacity Building for Faith Leaders: Successfully conducted multiple sessions and workshops for faith leaders, equipping them with the necessary and relevant knowledge and resources to advocate effectively for behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, palliative care and survivorship.
- Ramping Up Vaccination Efforts: A major focus of the convening was to leverage the resource of faith networks to significantly increase HPV vaccination rates. Committed to expanding access to vaccines by enhancing public awareness to ensure
  widespread uptake.
- Expanded Screening Initiatives: The discussion resolved to utilize the resources of faith networks and the influence of faith leaders to broaden behavioral change activities, screening initiatives across the continent, employing advanced diagnostic technologies and improving infrastructure to reach remote and underserved areas.
- Collaborative efforts with governments, national and international health organizations will help make screening a routine part of women’s healthcare.
- Strengthening service delivery and guidelines: The discussions highlighted the urgent need to enhance access to treatment protocols for pre-cervical and cervical cancer. This includes upgrading the capabilities of local health facilities, offering
  continuous training to healthcare professionals, and ensuring the availability of essential medical supplies and equipment for effective treatment.
- Policy Engagement and Advocacy: The stakeholders proposed strategic discussions with policy makers to advocate for comprehensive cervical cancer care policies that support the implementation of advanced behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, palliative care and survivorship.
From left, Father Charles Chilufya-, chair Convening Preparation Committee AHETI.
Father Germain Rajoelison- Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
Sister Regina Nthenya, Health Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya(HASK)
Pamela Savai, cervical cancer survivor.
Karen Nakawala- cervical cancer survivor and founder Teal Sisters Foundation, Zambia,
Imam Alidou Ilboudo- Muslim Religious Leader, Burkina Faso
- Monitoring and Evaluation: A framework for ongoing monitoring and evaluation has been established to assess the effectiveness of the strategies implemented for
  behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, HPV screening, treatment, palliative care and survivorship. This will allow for continuous improvement based on real-time data and feedback from the participating regions.
- Resolution to Sustain Momentum: There was a resolve to maintain the momentum generated during this convening through regular follow-up meetings and communications.
Father Charles concluded by emphasizing their commitment to engaging communities and raising awareness about the importance of behavioral change communication, HPV vaccination, screening, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship.

“We have crafted culturally sensitive advocacy strategies tailored to the specific needs and perspectives of various African communities, aiming to boost vaccine and screening uptake. We’ve also planned educational programs and workshops to dispel myths and reduce the stigma associated with cervical cancer.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, genital area, and throat. If left persistent, high-risk HPV infections can lead to the development of abnormal cells, which may eventually become cancerous.

In response to this significant health threat, the WHO launched the 90-70-90 global elimination strategy for cervical cancer in 2020. The ambitious goals of this initiative aim to be achieved by 2030 across all countries. The targets include: vaccinating 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15, screening 70% of women with a high-quality test by ages 35 and 45, and providing treatment to 90% of women with cervical disease.

By achieving these goals, the WHO hopes to make significant strides in preventing and controlling cervical cancer, which remains a major public health concern globally. The 90-70-90 strategy has the potential to save countless lives and improve the health and well-being of millions of women and girls worldwide.
June 13, 2024
Brussels air returns to Kenya after a nine-year absence

(L-R) Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, of Brussels Airlines, and KTB Board Member David Tanki during the reception of Brussels Air. Looking on is KAA Chairman, Hon. Caleb Kositanyi.

Brussels Airlines, Belgium’s flag carrier and the largest airline in Belgium, has resumed flights into Nairobi, Kenya, after a nine-year hiatus.

The airline, a member of the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance, touched down at the Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night with 288 travelers, enhancing connectivity between Kenya and Belgium. This marked the first time the airline landed in Kenya after having served the Nairobi route between 2002 and 2015.

Speaking during the reception of the airline, David Tanki, who represented the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Board of Directors, said that the resumption of flights to Nairobi by Air Brussels was a positive development for tourism as Kenya aims to become a year-round destination known for its diverse and sustainable tourism offerings. He added that the resumption shows that Belgian and European travelers still have an appetite for Kenya as a destination.

“The year-round service we shall now receive from Airlines Brussels is a significant development for the destination that will boost arrivals throughout all the seasons. This comes as we continue to see interest from other airlines from Europe and other continents in Kenya. We are pleased to see this airline come back to Kenya after a long absence, and we hope that it will inspire more people to be inspired by the beauty of magical Kenya,” said Tanki.

Mr. Tanki also exuded optimism about the future growth of the sector, noting that travelers from the larger European continent will play a big role in the full turn-around of the sector.

“Europe is a key source market for Kenya’s tourism, ranking second with a 29% market share and contributing 572,352 arrivals last year. In 2023, the number of arrivals from Belgium reached 12,960, up from 9,981 in 2022, indicating a growing recognition of Kenya as a desirable destination within Belgian tourism. The entry of Brussels Airlines is particularly timely, as we expect to increase Belgian arrivals into Kenya and further strengthen our numbers,” he said.

The resumption of Air Brussels flights to Nairobi will now bring the number of airlines’ destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa to 18. Kenya is the second largest market by frequency, with 5 weekly flights by Lufthansa, 6 flights by Euro Wings discovering the coast, and now 6 flights into Nairobi by Air Brussels. The service will boost passenger transfers for the diverse Belgian travel sector, which includes charter services, business travel and MICE specialists, online travel agencies, and retail travel agents.

Brussels Airlines Chief Executive Officer Dorothea von Boxberg says, “We see a very high interest in our home market, Belgium, to explore Kenya. Our first flights to Nairobi are full. Nairobi is a vibrant city and the perfect gateway for an unforgettable trip to Kenya. The other way around we offer connections to Europe and beyond via Brussels to let Kenyans explore the world, study, or grow their businesses.”. She said.

Ms. Von Boxberg added that the airline was working on ways to have more flights going based on the increased demand for business and leisure travel, among others, as well as a positive market reaction.

According to data from Statbel, the third quarter of 2023 saw 6.92 million trips by Belgians abroad, marking an increase of 3.8%, compared to the same period in 2022. However, international travel numbers have yet to reach the peak of 2019, when 7.15 million trips were recorded during the summer. The preference for overseas travel remains high, with 64% of Belgians likely to travel abroad for leisure in the next 12 months. Cost and affordability are crucial factors for 34% of Belgians when planning international trips.

The travel preferences of Belgian travelers include eco-friendly travel experiences, priority for sustainable and responsible tourism practices, value for authenticity, environmental consciousness, and a sense of community engagement, among others.

June 4, 2024
Quitting Cigarettes is Primary Motive of Vape and Pouch Users, Survey Show
Most Kenyans who use vapes or nicotine pouches do so for health-related reasons, primarily to quit smoking deadly cigarettes, according to a major new survey unveiled on World No Tobacco Day.

If these safer alternatives were banned, almost half of users say they would go back to cigarettes and some would even end up smoking more often, the poll reveals.

Almost nine out of 10 believe that the Ministry of Health’s proposed graphic health warnings for vapes and pouches are misleading and will deter smokers from switching to safer alternatives, it concludes.

“These results show that vapes and nicotine pouches offer smokers their most effective escape route away from the cigarettes that will otherwise kill them,” said Joseph Magero, chairman of the Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA), which conducted the survey.

“To restrict access to these products would deny smokers their best chance of quitting and would unnecessarily condemn them to premature death or disease. Instead of trying to scare smokers from switching to these safer alternatives, authorities should be trying to reduce the deadly toll of tobacco through evidence-based policymaking and risk-proportionate regulation.”

More than 300 Kenyan adults were questioned for the survey. Key findings include:
- 64% of respondents have quit cigarettes or reduced the amount they smoke as a result of using vapes or nicotine pouches.
- Five out of six users of nicotine pouches or vapes believe that proposed graphic health warnings (GHWs) for these products are misleading and would deter smokers from switching away from deadly cigarettes.
- 58% or respondents believe that pouches are the best tool for quitting cigarettes, ahead of vapes (28%), health warnings (5%) and sin taxes (3%).
- If vape or pouches were banned, less than one in four users intends to give them up.
- Most believe they will be able to find the products on the black market, while almost half are likely to go back to smoking cigarettes if a ban was implemented.
“The survey shows that users of vapes and pouches were SIX TIMES more successful at giving up cigarettes than those who tried to quit ‘cold turkey’,” Magero said. “There could not be a more powerful message on World No Tobacco Day: if we want to save people from cigarettes, we need to ensure that safer alternatives are accessible, acceptable and affordable to adult smokers.

“The Ministry of Health must listen to the voice of smokers who are desperate to quit: for the millions of Kenyans who smoke, vapes and nicotine pouches offer a lifeline they never had before.”

Campaign for Safer Alternatives is an international Pan-African non-governmental organisation dedicated to achieving 100% smoke-free environments in Africa. It is the unifying voice for consumer organisations advocating for tobacco harm reduction in Africa, promoting discussion and the exchange of information and potential actions to reduce exposure to tobacco-related harm.
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May 31, 2024
Kenya Sees Drop in Tobacco Use, But New Challenges Emerge

By OMBOKI MONAYO

As Kenyans weigh in on the 2024/25 Finance Bill, the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) is urging the government to raise taxes on tobacco products. The advocacy group argues that this will not only generate additional revenue but also discourage tobacco use, a major public health concern linked to thousands of deaths annually in Kenya.

Consumption of cigarettes and related health complications including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and hypertension has been found to kill at least an average of 9,000 Kenyans every year.

According to John Thomi of the NTA, higher taxes protect the health pf Kenyans by making the products more expensive.
‘When tax is increased, the affordability of tobacco products decreases and even consumer choices are constrained because tobacco is a luxury or recreational product,” says Mr Thomi.

Research carried out in Europe shows that a 10% increase in cigarette prices can lead to a 4-6% decrease in demand, particularly among low- and middle-income smokers. Data from Kenya itself shows a promising decline in tobacco use from 12% in 2014 to 9% in 2022, which the NTA partly attributes to previous tax hikes.

The current tax structure sees filtered cigarettes taxed at Kes4,067 per 1,000 cigarettes (mille), with the NTA proposing an increase to Kes4,100. Similarly, taxes on unfiltered cigarettes would rise from Kes2,926 to Kes4,100 per mille. Mr Thomi emphasizes that higher taxes make tobacco products less affordable, effectively reducing consumer choice for these “luxury or recreational” goods.

John Muchangi, a veteran health and science journalist, highlights the addictive nature of tobacco products, suggesting that pricing them out of reach remains the most effective way to control consumption. While supporting the increase in taxation, he dismisses arguments from the tobacco industry that high taxes will only encourage smuggling, stating that tackling smuggling is a separate enforcement issue.

“Addiction transforms tobacco into a must-have product. Pricing it out of reach remains the most effective way to reduce and control its consumption,” he says. “Eliminating the flow of illicit tobacco products into the country is a law enforcement challenge that the government should squarely tackle,” adds the editor.

Kenya’s journey towards tobacco control has not been smooth. The country ratified the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, but the implementation of tobacco control regulations faced legal battles, eventually being enacted in 2014. These regulations require graphic health warnings on packaging, designated smoking areas, and public health campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking.

The FCTC explicitly prohibits tobacco industry involvement in tobacco control policymaking. However, there have been instances where the industry has lobbied and influenced key decision-makers, potentially weakening these policies. This was evident in 2004 when the tobacco industry attempted to dilute a proposed Tobacco Control Bill by renaming it and seeking influence on the tobacco control committee. Thankfully, public pressure exposed these efforts, leading to the passage of a comprehensive Tobacco Control Act in 2007.

The NTA is concerned that the government’s proposed tax increases may not be enough. They argue that the industry can absorb small price hikes as overhead costs or by transferring them to other products. It proposes annual tax hikes of 10-15% to account for population growth and prevent the industry from comfortably mitigating the impact of the increases.

A new challenge has emerged in the form of non-combustible tobacco products like vapes and flavored pouches, targeted towards young people. Speaking during a May 28, 2024 press briefing, Ms Mary Muthoni, who is the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, acknowledged this growing concern and revealed that plans were underway to raise awareness about the dangers of these products alongside traditional cigarettes during World No Tobacco Day.

“The rise of attractively packaged novel nicotine products like vapes and flavored pouches is attracting young people despite lacking evidence of being harmless alternatives. The Ministry of Health plans to use World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness of these dangers alongside traditional cigarettes,” said Ms Muthoni..

NTA however feels that more can be done, beyond the glitzy and high-powered public service announcement on tobacco’s threat to human health. It is criticizing the “extremely low taxes” on these new products, with liquid nicotine taxed at a mere Kes70 per mille compared to the price of Kes1,500 per vape pen refill. They propose raising taxes on these products to Kes5-10 per pouch and including them in the new eco tax to account for their environmental impact.

Mr Thomi concludes by emphasizing the urgency of action. He is warning that these “new generation products” can be a gateway to even more dangerous substances and urges swift measures to protect young Kenyans from addiction.
“The success of our combined efforts as health advocates and public health experts to reduce tobacco use hinges on a multi-pronged approach that combines effective taxation with public health awareness campaigns to create a generation free from the dangers of tobacco use,” he asserts.

May 30, 2024
“Nyakera Advocates for Agricultural Reform and Economic Focus in High-Level Meetings”

As the government embarks on a series of initiatives to improve the lives of Kenyans, the Chairman of KEMSA, Irungu Nyakera, met with KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga to discuss the tax implications on health products, technologies, and agriculture.

Nyakera stated, “We agreed to follow up with specific proposals for consideration and action.” He emphasized the importance of agriculture, describing it as the backbone of Kenya’s economy: “The agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, contributing approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s GDP and employing more than 40% of the total population and 70% of the rural population. Let’s protect our farmers and help them build sustainable livelihoods.”

Nyakera also extended his discussions to Eliud N. Kinuthia, Chairperson of the National Police Service Commission, to address regional and national issues concerning farmers.

Furthermore, Nyakera expressed gratitude towards the President for his recent announcement to write off KES 6 billion in coffee farmer debts and increase the coffee cherry fund by KES 2 billion. “This move will greatly support the ongoing coffee reforms, aimed at expanding cultivation acreage and enhancing farmer revenues. It will also help revitalize the coffee farming sector, which has been in decline for years.”

Nyakera urged politicians from Mt. Kenya to focus on development agendas rather than political disputes. “I beseech politicians from Mt. Kenya to concentrate on agendas that directly impact the livelihoods of their constituents, rather than engaging in daily bickering and politicking. For now, let’s review the Finance Bill and its implications for the common man and bring relevant debates to the house.”

May 30, 2024
Sports Committee Urged to Increase Allowances for Team Kenya at Paris Olympics

Hon. Dan Wanyama (Webuye West) and Committee Chairperson, National Assembly Sports and Culture

The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) has petitioned a House Committee to push for increased allowances for Team Kenya ahead of the Olympics to be held in Paris, France.

Team Kenya is scheduled to take part in the Olympics that are slated for July 26th to August 11th this year.

NOCK officials, led by their president, Dr. Paul Tergat, told the Sports and Culture Committee that the current allowances are too little and should be reviewed.

Speaking when they appeared before the committee meeting chaired by Hon. Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), NOCK Secretary General Mr. Francis Mutuku said players were paid Kshs. 26,000 while officials received Kshs. 39,000.

“We urge the Committee to consider pushing for the increment of training allowances for players who are currently paid Kshs. 1,000 per day,” said Mr. Mutuku.

In his response, Hon. Wanyama, who concurred with NOCK, asked the organisation to prepare a proposal of the new allowance rates and submit it to the Committee for action.

Regarding the status of preparedness ahead of the competition, Mr. Tergat said: “Proper systems have been put in place to ensure the successful preparation of Team Kenya that will fly our flag in Paris. This season, the team will prepare better than before,” he added.

Mr. Mutuku said that NOCK had secured a training camp in Miramas, France, where the team will be expected to train before traveling to Paris.

“We have partnered with Miramas City to host the team for free. We will benefit from technical support from French coaches. The camp will provide a good final kick-off for Team Kenya before departing for Paris,” he added.

He noted that the team will arrive at the camp on July 1st and depart five days before the Olympic Games kick-off.

Mr. Mutuku further told the committee that 10,600 athletes will represent the country during the Olympics.

“Athletics is the country’s main menu at the Olympics, but we will have other teams like rugby’s Shujaa and women’s volleyball team Malaika Strikers, boxing, and tennis, among others,” he added.

He added that NOCK has also partnered with Deloitte to provide risk advisory services.

“Kenya’s reputation was dented following the Tokyo Olympics fiasco. We have brought in Deloitte to deal with the reputation risk,” he added.

He added that Team Kenya’s kits were designed by a Kenyan, noting that the kits will be ready in three weeks.

He added, “NOCK has made plans to assist players in securing visas and air tickets on time.”

Tergat said NOCK’s focus was on the preparations of Team Kenya, and they have directed all available resources at their disposal to achieve this goal.

“Performance is a reflection of preparation, and that is why we are doing everything to ensure Team Kenya is in good form and in shape to win more medals,” he added.

The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the level of preparedness by NOCK for Team Kenya.

“We are satisfied with the plans put in place to ensure the team prepares adequately. The Committee will provide the necessary support you need,” said Hon. Wanyama.

The Committee also met sports, arts, and social development officials led by their CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Nuh, to assess their success stories and challenges.

May 29, 2024