Tourism CS says the unilateral and abrupt pronouncement did not take into consideration "the consequences" to the economy
He said civic education and public awareness campaigns would have prepared the public for the impending changes.
He insisted that the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife fully supports the government ban of importation, manufacture, sell, use advertisement, promotion and distribution of shisha in the country.
Tourism and Wildlife ministry has clarified that Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala is not opposed to the shisha ban but the manner in which it was done.
Mr Balala said although the ministry fully supports the ban "it takes issue with the manner it was done overnight without much consideration of the relevant stakeholders and without requisite notice."
According to the CS, the unilateral and abrupt pronouncement did not take into consideration "the consequent after-effects, which have and are likely to negatively impact on several sectors of the economy tourism included."
“It is expected and courteous of the government to execute policies after issuing adequate notice to the concerned businesses, to allow them time to effectively adjust and implement the directives,” Mr Balala said.
In a statement to newsrooms, Mr Balala however urged all arms of the government and agencies to consult and involve relevant stakeholders adequately before making important decisions that may adversely affect the country.
Civic education, awareness
He said civic education and public awareness campaigns would have prepared the public for the impending changes.
While responding to questions by MPs during a three-day induction retreat for the National Assembly Committee on Sports, Tourism and Culture on Saturday at Pride Inn Hotel in Mombasa, the CS had said the ban on the water-pipe tobacco imposed by outgoing Health CS Cleopa Mailu will hurt the economy.
He also accused the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) of pretence, saying it is closing clubs “after failing to regulate issues.”
“You do your job, we will support; but you don’t wake up overnight and ban shisha or start closing clubs. The whole world has shisha, why ban it in Kenya? If we have issues of health, put a tax. Why don’t you ban cigarettes? Why don’t you ban alcohol? I am not a smoker so I am not defending shisha smokers,” said Mr Balala on Saturday.
But in his latest statement, the CS insisted that the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife fully supports the government ban of importation, manufacture, sell, use advertisement, promotion and distribution of shisha in the country.
“The Ministry is aware of the World Health Organisation (WHO) advisory note to regulators which revealed that smoking shisha posed grave health risks as shisha smokers in a single session would inhale smoke of 100 or more cigarettes,” reads his statement.
Mr Balala further stated that his ministry is aware that shisha is harmful for human consumption, just as is miraa, cigarettes, alcohol and other illicit drugs.
He said before the ban, shisha was normally served at entertainment joints frequented by both local and international tourists and visitors enormously contributing to the economy through job creation and payment of taxes to the government.
“These establishments are licensed to operate by government agencies, who have been aware of the sale of shisha for a long time and ought to have taken preventive measures immediately the problem became public,” Mr Balala said.
On Saturday, Kenyans on social media including doctors criticised Mr Balala for his stand on the ban.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
