More than 45 people have been arrested in a recent crackdown led by National Authority for the Campaign Against Drugs (NACADA) in Nyali, Mombasa County during an operation targeting various shisha dens.
The raid was conducted on Saturday, January 13 night at the Hide out and Escape shisha joints in Nyali leading to the confiscation of over 50 shisha pots and more than 10 cartons containing special shisha flavors.
According to NACADA CEO Anthony Amerikwa, the raids will be intensified across the country to free young people who have been caught up in the addiction.
“We got information that there are three joints that have been selling the substance. Shisha has been banned since 2017 and upon accessing the premises, we were able to apprehend 38 (among them 29 males) suspects including the proprietor and the manager,” he stated.
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Shisha Pots and Ingredients Collected
The NACADA boss further reported that from the Saturday Night raid, they collected over 47 shisha pots, more than 700 shisha ingredients which he noted will be subject to an assessment to verify the contents from the Government Chemist.
“If the contents are determined, the suspects’ charges will be updated. For now, they will remain apprehended and will be at the cells awaiting arraignment in court on Monday,” he said.
Amerikwa urged the proprietors to operate within the bounds of the law.
“We will not relent as a multi-agency to ensure that the law is fully complied with. We will make sure that alcohol and drug abuse is diminished in the country.
There are criminal enterprises in Nyali and other places where young people are being inducted into alcohol and drug abuse, which must come to an end,” Amerikwa stated.
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Kenya Law on Shisha
Shisha smoking has been prohibited in Kenya since 2017, encompassing the use, import, manufacture, distribution and promotion of the tobacco product.
The offenders of this law face significant penalties, starting at Ks 50,000 in fines or a minimum jail term of six months.
NACADA intensified the crackdown on December 2023, vowing to shut the vice in the country.
This crackdown underscores the government’s commitment in curbing substance abuse and maintaining public health.
It also serves as a reminder to establishments across the country to adhere to regulations surrounding banned substances, contributing to the broader effort to create a healthier and safer environment for Kenya’s Youth.