The Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide public participation exercise on proposed regulations that seek to prohibit shisha smoking and other waterpipe tobacco products in Kenya.

In a public notice, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale invited members of the public, stakeholders and organizations to submit comments on the draft Public Health (Prohibition of Shisha Smoking and Waterpipe Tobacco Products) Rules, 2026 and the accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement.

According to the ministry, the proposed rules seek to ban the importation, manufacture, supply, distribution, promotion, sale and use of shisha and other waterpipe tobacco products in the country.

“It is notified for the information of the general public that the Cabinet Secretary for Health has developed the Public Health (Prohibition of Shisha Smoking and Waterpipe Tobacco Products) Rules, 2026 which seek to prohibit shisha smoking and the importation, manufacture, supply, distribution, promotion, sale and use of shisha and any other waterpipe tobacco product in Kenya,” the notice states.

The ministry said the move is aimed at addressing public health risks associated with shisha smoking, noting that the communal sharing of mouthpieces and hoses can facilitate the spread of respiratory infections, while the waterpipe environment may also harbor disease-causing pathogens.

The draft regulations build on the Public Health (Control of Shisha Smoking) Rules, 2017, which outlawed the importation, manufacture, sale, use, advertisement and distribution of shisha in Kenya.

The ministry says newer waterpipe-related products, including herbal and flavoured alternatives, have since emerged, necessitating an updated regulatory framework.

To comply with constitutional and statutory requirements, the ministry has scheduled public participation forums across the country throughout June.

The meetings will allow members of the public to review the draft regulations, submit views and make recommendations before the rules are finalized.

“Now therefore, pursuant to Article 10 of the Constitution and Sections 5 and 6 of the Statutory Instruments Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Health invites interested members of the public, stakeholders and organizations to submit comments, views or representations regarding the draft Public Health (Prohibition of Shisha Smoking and Waterpipe Tobacco Products) Rules, 2026 and the draft Regulatory Impact Statement,” the notice says.

Written submissions can be sent to the Ministry of Health or emailed to the address provided in the notice before June 30, 2026.

The ministry has urged all Kenyans, including youth, persons with disabilities, women, older persons and members of marginalized communities, to take part in the consultation process to ensure the proposed regulations reflect public views and expectations.