The Kenyan Ministry of Health has revoked the operational license of Shapo Trading Ltd, a Chinese-owned cigarette importer headquartered along Mombasa Road in Nairobi, citing gross violations of the Tobacco Control Act, 2007 and Tobacco Control Regulations, 2014.
The decision followed a multi-agency inspection on March 25, 2025, involving officials from the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Authorities uncovered 1,716 cartons of unregistered cigarette brands—including Harmonization, Septwolves, Naijing, and Goldenleaf—none of which appeared in the Ministry’s official product database.
Further assessment confirmed that all 11 brands flouted Kenyan tobacco laws, raising alarms over illegal importation and distribution practices.
In a formal notice dated April 3, 2025, the Ministry informed Shapo Ltd’s Director, Weir Wang, that all previously granted tobacco import clearances had been revoked with immediate effect. Additionally, two Chinese nationals linked to the company were arrested during the operation, with investigations ongoing.
However, the crackdown has yet to fully eliminate the presence of these illicit products. Investigators report that some of the banned cigarette brands remain in circulation, sold openly in supermarkets and local shops.
This persistent availability has raised questions about enforcement lapses and the possible complicity of customs or regulatory officials.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale underscored the government’s stance, stating that Kenya remains committed to upholding public health by ensuring that only regulated and compliant products are available in the market.
The revocation marks a significant move by the Kenyan government in tightening oversight over tobacco imports and protecting consumers from substandard and potentially hazardous products. It also signals increasing scrutiny of foreign-owned firms operating within sensitive sectors like tobacco, where public health concerns and regulatory compliance intersect.
