BAT DONATION TO KEMRI
Submitted to Nation Newspapers for Publication (11/1/2002)

It is a sad moment to the individuals and organisations in Kenya that have been struggling to counter the expansion of tobacco in the country. Kenya Medical Research Institute has received a donation of a car and a microscope from BAT. The donation, according to Dr. Vulule, the Director of Centre for Vector Biology the donations were made by the firm in memory of a Jean-Marie Donner, who contracted Malaria in Congo, admitted to Nairobi Hospital but unfortunately died. The donation, according to Dr. Vulule, is towards work on malaria control in the region. The vehicle is fully flooded with the BAT emblem. Given the policy of KEMRI and that of the Ministry of Health in regard to tobacco use in the country, it is a big contradiction and it is our belief that this association will jeopardise KEMRI’s position in the fight against tobacco.

We would like the Kenya government to take a clear stand on tobacco and be aware of deceit, deception, and ambiguity of tobacco firms in pursuit of profits. Tobacco firms have hooked millions of people to smoking through their tools of manipulative advertising, disinformation campaigns refuting the health consequences of smoking and political lobbying. Such donations are a replica of their pretence that they are concerned with development issues in the country. They have participated in sponsoring exhibitions, sports and even contraction works in the country. All these are to hoodwink the country that they are partners in development.

We are happy with the stand taken by the president and the minister for public health on tobacco. Meanwhile, it is important for people on the ground to be aware of the manipulations by the tobacco companies. There is a very strong wind against tobacco firms spearheaded by the World Health Organisation and it is only a question of time before their dirty tricks are fully exposed. We are aware that these merchants of death are contributing about $77 million (Kshs.6 billion) annually to the exchequer in form of taxes. But it is high time we asked whether the revenue we receive from the tobacco firms are worth it.

Oongo Elisha
Joe Asila
Social Needs Network
Kenya Alliance Against Tobacco