Court halts CS Duale's ban on nicotine product licences and importation

The government has suffered a major setback after the High Court suspended a directive by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale that had halted all licenses and import clearances for the manufacture, importation, distribution, or sale of nicotine and related products.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye, on Thursday, issued a conservatory order staying the CS’s decision made on May 31, pending the determination of a case filed by Susan Awino, who has termed the move illegal, null, and void, arguing it usurps the powers of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner-General.