The Ministry of Health has been put in the spotlight over a controversial national health campaign partnership with British American Tobacco (BAT).
The Standard has established that the Ministry wrote a letter to BAT seeking partnership in a national anti-tobacco campaign targeting transport sector workers.
Critics now say the Ministry has shot itself in the foot by involving the tobacco industry, a move seen as counterproductive, especially at a time when the government is under pressure to strengthen tobacco control measures and policies.
The health outreach campaign is set to be launched on June 18, 2025, targeting 10 counties, with insiders saying the deal has already been signed, raising concerns about its potential impact on the fight against tobacco use. .Keep ReadingPolio vaccine safe, health ministry assures KenyansClinical officers now call for an overhaul of SHA board leadershipWhen masturbation exposes you to urinary tract infectionsFive new M-pox cases confirmed, including two childrenREAD: Health Ministry under fire after partnering with BAT in health campaign BAT has confirmed to The Standard that it did receive a request from the Ministry of Health to partner in the health promotion campaign targeting long-distance and public transport drivers. "BAT Kenya received a letter from the Ministry of Health in May 2025 regarding 'Partnership for health promotion activities targeting long-distance and public transport drivers,'" read a statement from BAT's communications team in response to The Standard's inquiry.
