By Phyllis Mwende
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale held a high-level meeting with the World Health Organization (WHO) at Afya House, Nairobi, to accelerate reforms in Kenya’s tobacco control policies.
The WHO delegation was led by Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, Country Representative and Chief of Mission. Discussions focused on amending the Tobacco Control Bill to strengthen regulations on the sale, advertising and consumption of tobacco products in line with global standards.
Hon. Duale called for fast-tracking legal amendments and welcomed WHO’s commitment to support Kenya in modernizing its tobacco framework.
“We seek WHO’s technical assistance in reviewing the Tobacco Control Act and enhancing enforcement at both national and county levels,” Hon. Duale stated.
The CS also emphasized the need for local capacity building, updated inspection protocols and integrating tobacco control into Kenya’s growing digital health infrastructure.
WHO pledged continued support in strengthening Kenya’s public health systems, including national laboratory capacity for independent tobacco product verification.
“Kenya has made commendable strides, including helping over 9,000 farmers transition to sustainable crops like high-iron beans,” Dr. Diallo noted.
WHO’s Dr. Vinayak Prasad and senior Ministry of Health officials, including Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, attended the meeting.