The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on the night of 20th January 2024 carried out its routine crackdown on shisha vending and use. This time, it was a raid on Embassy Club along Thika Road where 23 shisha bongs and 40 flavors were confiscated. Seven people including the Manager of the club were also arrested.

Following the arrest, the Authority in an X post, said, “The suspects were all booked at Jogoo Road Police Station vide OB No.07/21/01/24 awaiting arraignment in court.”
This comes as the Authority continues its fight against the banned substance which was outlawed in 2017 following a gazette notice dated 28th December, 2017 released by the then Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Cleopa Mailu, EBS, EGH. The Notice states that no person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, use, advertise, promote or distribute shisha in Kenya.

The Authority has so far intensified the crackdown on shisha and in the past few weeks conducted raids at different clubs. One such raid was at the Yejoka Gardens Restaurant conducted on December 22, 2023 where 25 people were arrested and 100 shisha bongs confiscated.

Similarly, the Authority raided Kettle House Bar and Restaurant on January 5, 2023 where drama ensued after club bouncers attacked some of the officers and the journalists covering the operation. However, the attackers would not go free as 21 people were arrested and charged in court over the assault on the officers and the journalists.