The recent uproar surrounding Mary Muthoni, Kenya’s Public Health Principal Secretary, has shocked many people. Claims have emerged suggesting that she endorsed British American Tobacco (BAT) as a “strategic health partner”.
This claim, would be an insult to Kenya’s fight against tobacco-related diseases. Yet despite the heavy backlash online, no solid evidence or official communication from the Ministry of Health confirms this endorsement.
Still, the weight of public distrust continues to grow. What makes this issue worse is how it paints a picture of betrayal. A senior health official, tasked with protecting public health, is now being accused of siding with one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world.
Many online users, including Ronah Chirchir and SG_Miano, expressed their anger and disappointment, calling it a betrayal and a failure in leadership. One X post even reminded Kenyans that over 8,000 people die every year due to tobacco use, a figure that BAT profits from.
These numbers are not just statistics—they represent real lives lost. For Mary Muthoni to be linked to such a company, even through a rumor, is deeply disturbing.
At the same time, Mary Muthoni appears to be doing the exact opposite. On May 30, 2025, she led a crackdown on illegal tobacco and nicotine dealers.
In a video posted on YouTube, she raised concerns about how tobacco is harming children, especially those between 10 and 17 years old. Over 650,000 children in that age group have tried tobacco products.
That figure should scare any health official into action, not partnerships. This makes the BAT endorsement claim even more confusing.
Why would someone so publicly against tobacco be accused of such a major misstep?Even earlier in January 2025, health experts criticized Mary Muthoni’s statements about smoke-free alternatives.
This shows she has been actively involved in discussions around tobacco control. The Ministry of Health even promoted anti-tobacco campaigns through the Tobacco Control Fund on platforms like Instagram.
Yet, the Ministry of Health has remained silent, and that silence is causing more damage.
Tobacco kills thousands every year, and anyone seen to be supporting the industry, even by mistake, must be held accountable.
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