The Ministry of Health has revoked the operational license of a Chinese-owned cigarette company based along Mombasa Road, Nairobi, following the unlawful importation of tobacco products.
The decision follows a joint operation conducted by the Ministry and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on March 25, which uncovered 1,716 cartons containing 11 unauthorized tobacco brands. Four of the brands were not listed in the Ministry’s official database.
In a letter addressed to the firm’s management, the Tobacco Control Board cited violations of the Tobacco Control Act, 2007, and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2014.
The letter, signed by Board Secretary Anthony Wainana, officially canceled all previous clearance letters authorizing the importation of the tobacco products.
“Four brands were not found in the MoH database. Upon further evaluation, all 11 brands were found to violate the Tobacco Control Act 2007 and Tobacco Control Regulations 2014,” the revocation notice stated.
The Ministry said the firm had been previously warned against importing non-compliant tobacco products but failed to comply.
“You are advised to ensure that tobacco and nicotine products imported into the country are compliant with the regulations. Note that the clearance can be withdrawn without prior notice if the products imported are found to be non-compliant,” the earlier warning had read.
Following the revocation, the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority was formally notified of the withdrawal of the company’s import clearance.
Authorities have yet to disclose whether further legal action will be taken against the company or its officials.
