Kamukunji public forum advocates for higher tobacco taxes to combat health risks
Kamukunji Assistant County Commissioner Steve Mwonge shared a personal account of how tobacco use affected his family.
A public education forum was held in California, Kamukunji Sub-County, on Thursday to discuss the impact of increasing taxes on tobacco and nicotine products.
The event, led by Kamukunji Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Steve Mwonge, was organised by public health advocates, policymakers, and several non-governmental organizations led by the Den of Hope Youth Group. It attracted hundreds of residents from the sub-county.
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The forum aimed to address the burden of tobacco-related diseases and encourage community participation in policy enforcement.
Den of Hope Youth Group and its partners believe that increasing taxes on tobacco products reduces affordability, discouraging consumption and ultimately lowering health risks. The organisations argue that taxation remains one of the most effective strategies to curb tobacco use and protect public health.
While addressing the gathering, the Assistant County Commissioner Mwonge shared a personal account of how tobacco use affected his family. He recalled that his father was a long-term smoker, a habit he observed from childhood through his university years.
He noted that his father only quit after being advised by church elders. However, by the time he stopped, he had already developed tobacco-related illnesses, including arthritis.
Kamukunji Assistant County Commissioner Steve Mwonge speaking at the public education forum held in California, Kamukunji Sub-County on February 27, 2025. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
"Tobacco is not your friend, and it is not a friend to anyone. I used to see my father smoke, and when he quit later after intervention by church elders, it was too late," Mwonge stated.
Public health challenge
Tobacco consumption remains a major public health challenge in Kenya. According to data from the Tobacco Control Data Initiative (TCDI, 2022) and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA, 2025), tobacco use is responsible for over 12,000 deaths annually. Additionally, 46% of patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have a history of tobacco use.
One in six deaths from tobacco-related illnesses and one in three cancer-related deaths in the country are linked to smoking.
The economic burden of tobacco-related diseases is also significant. Kenya loses over Sh3 billion annually in healthcare costs associated with treating conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory illnesses.
Despite Kenya's Tobacco Control Act (2007) and its ratification of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), enforcement challenges persist. The availability of cheap illicit cigarettes and flavoured nicotine products has contributed to rising tobacco use, especially among young people.
Martha Kombe, the programme manager at Den of Hope Youth Group, explained why the organization is advocating for higher taxation on tobacco products. She stated that while laws exist to regulate tobacco use, gaps in enforcement continue to allow easy access to cigarettes and nicotine products.
"We want the community to help us push for more taxation on tobacco. That can happen when people understand its effects," Kombe said.
Martha Kombe, the programme manager at Den of Hope Youth Group. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
Den of Hope Youth Group, along with other organisations, outlined several key measures they believe policymakers and public health advocates should implement. These include pushing for higher tobacco taxes to reduce affordability and curb consumption, strengthening enforcement mechanisms to eliminate illicit tobacco trade and regulating emerging nicotine products.
Others include mobilising social media activism to demand stricter tobacco control measures from the government and holding policymakers accountable for ensuring that revenues generated from tobacco taxes are invested in healthcare and public health programmes.
According to recent data by these organisations, every 10% increase in tobacco prices leads to a 4-5% reduction in overall smoking prevalence and a 6% decline in youth smoking rates. However, current taxation levels in Kenya remain insufficient to drive significant reductions in tobacco use.
The forum encouraged residents of Kamukunji Sub-County to take an active role in tobacco control efforts.
Participants were urged to spread awareness within their communities and support initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco consumption.
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