A fresh controversy has engulfed Kenya’s Ministry of Health after it emerged that British American Tobacco (BAT) Kenya was invited to co-lead a national health campaign targeting transport workers. A prominent lobby group has condemned the move, accusing the ministry of violating Kenyan law and breaching international treaties designed to shield public health policy from tobacco industry influence.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, June 9, the Tobacco Control Civil Society cited a letter allegedly signed by Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, which proposes that BAT Kenya take part in public fundraising and play a role in health messaging. The group warned that such involvement presents a glaring conflict of interest and grants the tobacco industry access to platforms that shape public health behaviour.
The watchdog accused the ministry of undermining public trust and ignoring Kenya’s obligations under Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which prohibits partnerships with tobacco firms in any aspect of public health policymaking. According to the group, this development is not only troubling but also a step backward for the country’s long-standing efforts to protect its citizens from the dangers of tobacco.
They are now demanding that the Ministry of Health immediately withdraw the letter in question, issue a public apology, and commit to severing all current and future ties with companies involved in the tobacco or nicotine industry. They are also calling for an independent inquiry by the Parliamentary Health Committee, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Auditor-General to determine whether public resources or decisions were improperly influenced.
The organisation further urged citizens to resist corporate interference in health matters through advocacy, petitions, and media campaigns, while appealing to international bodies, including the WHO FCTC Secretariat and relevant UN agencies, to keep a close eye on Kenya’s compliance moving forward.
As of now, the Ministry of Health has not issued any official response to the allegations.
