Tourism CS Najib Balala.[Photo/Nation]
Anti-tobacco body has hit back at Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala over his remarks on Shisha ban.
Balala earlier stated that the substance is an important tool in the tourism sector and that its ban will have a negative impact on the tourism sector.
Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance KTCA led by its chair Joel Gitali has requested the minister to consider the lives of Kenyan youth most of whom are loosing their lives because of shisha.
Mr Gitali questioned why Balala was acting against his Muslim faith and the government he serves saying he was disrespecting his fellow CS Cleopa Mailu who banned the substance last year.
Immediately after Mailu issued a gazette notice banning the business, the alliance was among the first in the country to term the move as successful after many years of struggle and this was the best thing to happen in the country after being banned in Uganda and Burundi.
He warned Balala for risking the lives of millions of Kenyans and thanked Muslim brothers for condemning the careless comments by the minister.
Muslim leadership criticized the issue with the minister and distanced itself from such comments saying it was not part of their decision. They wondered how the government would again contradict itself by praising drugs they are supposed to fight at all costs.
“Balala has been a respected leader for long why should he now not be concerned more about the lives of his fellow Kenyans just because of making money from tourists?’ they asked. To keep his image intact and save his face, Balala is now required to apologise to the public in 14 days period.