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{
    "id": 861873,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/861873/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 387,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Murang’a CWR, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Sabina Chege",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 884,
        "legal_name": "Sabina Wanjiru Chege",
        "slug": "sabina-wanjiru-chege"
    },
    "content": "Part three is on international cooperation, exchange of enforcement information including providing technical assistance and cooperation in scientific technical and technological matters, law enforcement cooperation, mutual administrative assistance, mutual legal assistance and extradition. The Protocol makes specific reference to enhance cooperation between the Convention Secretariat at the United Nations (UN) office on drugs and crime, the World Customs Organisation and other bodies as appropriate. Kenya has actively participated in the development of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) as well as the implementation guidelines. This participation has led to Kenya implementing the FCTC hence becoming a global leader with various best practices at a reference point of the regional and global levels. Article 15 of the FCTC deals with combating illicit trade and hence required a protocol to facilitate its implementation across national and international borders. Kenya signed and ratified the FCTC on 24th June 2001, and the Tobacco Control Act was passed in 2007 and developed from the FCTC as a blue print. Following the recent co-judgement in favour of Tobacco Control Regulation, 2014, the regulations for the implementation of the Act took effect on 24th August, 2016. The Protocol came into force in 2018 after 40 parties ratified it. I want to appreciate the efforts taken by the Ministry of Health, including our very own Hon. (Dr.) James Nyikal who was the then Director of Medical Services. I also appreciate the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The country has its own internal mechanism and enacted the Tobacco Control Act and the KRA implemented stringent measures on movement of tobacco products. In fact, Kenya has received a WHO Director-General Award for the exemplary efforts in implementation of the Protocol. The country is already fully implementing the Protocol and it is a reference point for the best practice. Indeed, we have hosted numerous foreign delegations on benchmarking. Furthermore, Kenya has been the bureau member for the Afro Region in two consecutive terms demonstrating the region’s confidence in Kenya’s performance and leadership. As a country, that is the manufacturing hub for tobacco products and exporting to more than 22 countries in Africa and beyond. Kenya is at a high risk of illicit trade in tobacco products. Kenya is surrounded by porous borders making it prone to illicit trade. Moreover, Kenya has the highest tobacco tax rate in the region further raising the vulnerability to illicit trade in tobacco products."
}