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BAT DONATION TO
KEMRI 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 |