Eldoret traders raise concerns over proposed flavour ban in tobacco products

Speaking in Eldoret on Tuesday, traders said they support government efforts to strengthen regulatory enforcement and eliminate untaxed and unapproved products from the market.

“As business owners, we support lawful measures that ensure order and accountability across all sectors,” said Holliab Lodenyo, Chairman of Bars, Hotels, and Liquor Traders in Uasin Gishu County. “However, the proposed flavour ban risks creating a gap that illicit traders are likely to exploit.”

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), over half of products in the Kenyan market—including alcohol, cigarettes, cosmetics, and soft drinks—are illicit, bypassing taxation and regulatory standards.

Lodenyo argued that banning flavoured nicotine products could push consumers toward cheaper black-market alternatives, potentially undermining tax collection, consumer safety, and the livelihoods of legal traders.

“If this bill passes, businesses that have taken years to establish could collapse, communities will lose income, and the government may lose tax revenue,” he added.

The traders are urging the Senate to reject the proposed ban and instead focus on enforcing existing regulations, which they say are sufficient to address concerns about illicit products.

“We ask the Senate to prioritize measures that curb illicit trade, protect revenue, and safeguard consumers, rather than introduce policies that may inadvertently create new risks,” Lodenyo said.