In a major swoop, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) raided two popular clubs on the night of Thursday, March 20, seizing 52 shisha bongs and arresting three individuals in a fresh crackdown against the outlawed substance.
The well-coordinated operation, led by NACADA’s Director of Enforcement and Compliance James Koskey, targeted Alfakheer Lounge on Mirema Drive and Embassy Club along Thika Road—both notorious for defying the 2017 government ban on shisha use.
During the raid, authorities confiscated 10 shisha bongs and arrested one suspect at Alfakheer Lounge. Meanwhile, at Embassy Club, the situation was even worse—officers seized 42 shisha bongs, 56 different shisha flavors, and nabbed two suspects.
Speaking after the crackdown, Koskey made it clear that NACADA would not relent in its mission to stamp out illegal shisha use.
“Shisha is not just illegal—it’s a major health hazard. We will not allow it to sneak back into our clubs and lounges. Kenyans need to understand that this ban is here to stay,” he said.
This latest sting follows a series of recent operations. Earlier this month, NACADA raided a popular club in Westlands, seizing 30 shisha bongs and arresting four suspects. Another bust in Kilimani saw 15 bongs confiscated, with three more individuals taken into custody.
Despite the government’s 2017 ban on shisha—implemented after studies linked it to cancer, heart disease, and nicotine addiction—several establishments continue to secretly sell the substance, prompting NACADA to intensify its enforcement.
NACADA has urged the public to report any businesses flouting the ban via its toll-free helpline, 1192. “We need Kenyans to step up and expose these rogue clubs that are breaking the law,” Koskey emphasized.
The suspects arrested during Thursday night’s raid are expected to be charged in court for possession and distribution of shisha. NACADA has also warned that clubs found violating the ban face permanent closure and heavy fines.
As the war against shisha intensifies, the authority is calling on parents, teachers, and community leaders to educate the youth about its dangers. “Shisha is being marketed as harmless fun, but it’s a slow killer. We must all work together to end its resurgence,” Koskey concluded.
With NACADA tightening the noose, club owners serving shisha in secret should brace for more crackdowns—or risk losing their businesses for good!
