Lack of coordination between county and national government is hampering enforcement of the shisha ban, Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance has said.
Chairman Joel Gitali now wants tobacco control entrenched in community policing to allow members of the public help in monitoring and intelligence.
Tobacco control in Kenya has been an endless war, pitting tobacco companies and anti-tobacco advocates in court battles.
There is a case currently ongoing at the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal ruling on implementation of tobacco guidelines.
Speaking to the Star on Tuesday, Gitali said checks by the lobby have revealed that the violation of shisha ban and Tobacco Control Act, 2007, is on the rise.
On November 7, Director of Public Health Kepha Ombacho wrote to the Council of Governors to enforce shisha ban in line with the Tobacco Control Act.
According to Gitali, there is a confusion of whether the enforcement should be done by Public Health officers or the police.
He said a coordination meeting organised by Ketca and attended by Kamukunji DCC together with chiefs and senior police officers, revealed disconnects in enforcement.
The meeting was facilitated by Tobacco Control Head Nairobi county and an officer from Tobacco Control Board.
"There must be proper training of all law enforcement agents from the national and county government departments," Gitali said.
He added that there is need for a coordinated joint operation involving officials from the Interior ministry and county government.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 31,000 people die annually from tobacco-related complications in Kenya.