Parliament Bows to Pressure, Postpones Public Participation on Tobacco Amendment Bill

Tobacco Amendment Bill: More Stakeholders Join Debate Ahead of Parliament Hearing

The National Assembly has postponed a stakeholder engagement meeting on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which had initially been scheduled following invitations issued on June 12, 2026.

In a communication sent to stakeholders, the relevant parliamentary committee announced that it had resolved during its sitting on June 23, 2026, to reschedule the meeting to Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The committee said the venue for the engagement will be communicated at a later date.

“Reference is made to our letter, Ref: NA/DDC/DC-H/2026/46, dated 12th June 2026, regarding your invitation to a stakeholder engagement meeting on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bill No. 35 of 2024). This is to inform you that at its sitting held on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, the Committee resolved to reschedule the meeting to Wednesday, 15th July 2026 at 10:00 AM. The venue will be communicated to you in due course,” reads part of the notice.

The meeting is expected to bring together stakeholders to discuss the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bill No. 35 of 2024), which has attracted significant interest from business groups, public health advocates, and other interested parties.

Parliament apologized for any inconvenience caused by the postponement and advised stakeholders to await further communication regarding the venue and other logistical arrangements.

The committee also provided contact details for the officers handling the matter, including Lead Clerk Dr. Christine Sagini and Clerk Assistant Ms. Gladys Kiprotich, for any inquiries related to the rescheduled meeting.

Also Read: Bunge la Wananchi Demands Nationwide Public Participation on Tobacco Amendment Bill

Tobacco Amendment Bill Attracts Criticism

The decision comes after business owners and traders demanded an immediate extension of the public participation period on the bill.

In a statement, business owners and traders said that they are not opposed to regulatory and support laws that protect public health and promote responsible business practices.

Also Read: Tobacco Bill Faces Fresh Opposition Ahead of Gen Z Protest Anniversary

However, they rejected any process that seeks to make decisions on their behalf without listening to their voices.

The business owners and traders demanded that public hearings be conducted across the country and not exclusively in Nairobi.

“We are particularly concerned by the decision by the National Assembly Health Committee to hold the
public hearing on this Bill in Nairobi only. This is a national law with national implications. Restricting participation to Nairobi effectively locks out hundreds of thousands of traders and business owners, plus millions of Kenyans from counties across the country who do not have the resources to travel and present their views. This is a chance for the national assembly to correct the shortcomings that are evident in the Senate process,” they said.

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