Govt warns of health risks from tobacco farming in Migori
By Faith Lagat, July 17, 2025The government has raised alarm over the health and economic dangers linked to tobacco farming, particularly in regions like Migori County, where the crop is widely grown.
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Ministry of Health, led by Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki, held a sensitisation forum in Kurutiange, Masaba Ward, Kuria West Sub-County. The forum aimed to educate farmers and community leaders about the risks of tobacco cultivation while encouraging the adoption of safer, more sustainable alternatives.
“Tobacco use and cultivation continue to pose serious health and economic risks to households and communities, particularly in tobacco-growing regions,” PS Muthoni said during the forum.
According to health officials, tobacco farming exposes farmers to harmful chemicals, including pesticides that are often used without proper protective gear. A 2012 study in the Tobacco Control journal linked tobacco farming to neurological risks, while reports from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) cite soil depletion and water contamination as further consequences of the crop.
“This afternoon, we held a sensitisation forum on tobacco farming and its harmful effects in Kurutiange, Masaba Ward, Kuria West Sub-County, Migori County,” she said.
The initiative aligns with Article 17 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which urges countries to support economically viable alternatives to tobacco. Health officials say these alternatives not only reduce the health burden on farming families but also promise better long-term economic returns.
Beyond the tobacco issue, the forum also addressed the growing crisis of drug and substance abuse among young people in Migori. PS Muthoni called for urgent, community-driven action to tackle this problem.
“The conversation also highlighted the urgent need for coordinated community action to address the growing threat of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people,” she said.
The concern echoes warnings raised earlier this year. In January, parents in Migori urged authorities to establish rehabilitation centres, blaming the rise in substance abuse on unemployment and poverty.
Through forums like this, the Ministry of Health hopes to empower farmers to adopt safer practices and strengthen community-led efforts to protect vulnerable populations, especially the youth.
The Migori event marks part of a broader push to Socioeconomic Development to reduce tobacco dependency and build healthier, more sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.