Parliament begins countrywide public hearings on Tobacco Control Bill

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has commenced collecting input from Kenyans on proposed amendments to tobacco control laws. Hundreds of residents have attended public hearings in Uasin Gishu and Tharaka Nithi counties. The committee, presided over by Seme MP James Nyikal, conducted a public engagement in Uasin Gishu County on September 25, 2026, at the Uasin Gishu County Hall.

During the session, Nyikal invited residents to express their views on the proposed Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to bolster tobacco control regulations. The bill is part of Parliament's initiative to fortify the legal framework governing tobacco control, and the public is encouraged to voice their opinions before the legislative process advances.

The committee is conducting hearings in various counties to gather perspectives from diverse communities and stakeholders. In Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge led a public hearing at Kaanwa Market, Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency, where hundreds of residents participated, necessitating the meeting to be moved outdoors due to the large attendance.

This turnout enabled residents to engage directly in the parliamentary process and share their opinions on the proposed amendments. The committee has encouraged the public in the selected counties to take full advantage of the hearings to voice their opinions. Public participation will continue in Meru and Bungoma counties later on Friday.

Meru residents will submit their views at Kamunde Hall in Meru Town, while Bungoma attendees will meet at Red Cross Hall in Kanduyi. On Saturday, the committee will travel to Kisumu and Laikipia counties to continue the public participation exercise. The Kisumu hearing will take place at Jericho Ofafa Hall in Kisumu Town, and Laikipia residents will meet the committee at Inooro Girls Secondary School in Nanyuki.

These hearings follow a call by BAHLITA Uasin Gishu chairman Hollian William Lodenyo a month ago, urging broader public involvement, specifically traders outside Nairobi, to be consulted on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024.