June 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya

Stowelink Foundation continues to strengthen its contribution to tobacco control efforts in Kenya through active participation in the Tobacco Industry Monitoring (TIM) Team Kenya, a multi-stakeholder network dedicated to monitoring tobacco industry interference, protecting public health policies, and advancing evidence-based tobacco control advocacy.

During the recently held TIM Team Kenya Quarter 2 Meeting, Stowelink Foundation was represented by Ogweno Stephen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Oduor Kevin, Chief Programs Officer. The meeting brought together civil society organizations, researchers, advocates, and tobacco control partners to review progress, assess emerging developments in tobacco control, and coordinate strategic actions for the months ahead.

The quarterly meeting provided an important platform for stakeholders to reflect on ongoing monitoring efforts, evaluate public participation surrounding the proposed shisha ban, onboard new members into the network, and strengthen collaboration in addressing emerging tobacco industry tactics.

Strengthening Collective Action Against Tobacco Industry Interference

Collaborative governance and robust monitoring remain essential pillars of effective public health policy. As the tobacco industry continues to develop new strategies to influence public opinion and policy discussions, coordinated monitoring and rapid response mechanisms are increasingly important.

The TIM Team serves as a critical platform for documenting tobacco industry interference, sharing intelligence, generating evidence, and supporting advocacy efforts aimed at safeguarding Kenya’s tobacco control policies from commercial interests.

The Quarter 2 meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining strong partnerships between civil society organizations, researchers, policymakers, and public health advocates to ensure that public health remains the priority in policy development and implementation.

Stowelink Shares Progress on Youth Leadership and Industry Monitoring

During the meeting, Ogweno Stephen shared updates on two flagship initiatives currently being implemented by Stowelink Foundation.

The first was the Tobacco Youth Mentorship Programme, a capacity-building initiative designed to equip young advocates with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to become effective leaders in tobacco control. Through mentorship, advocacy training, policy engagement, and practical learning opportunities, the programme is helping build a new generation of tobacco control champions across Kenya.

The second initiative highlighted was the Tobacco Industry Interference Digital Watch Initiative (TIIDWI), Stowelink Foundation’s flagship monitoring and advocacy project focused on identifying, documenting, and countering tobacco industry interference and misleading narratives in digital and public spaces.

TIIDWI has become an important tool in strengthening transparency and accountability by tracking industry tactics, monitoring emerging trends, and generating evidence that supports stronger tobacco control policies and public awareness campaigns.

Building a Tobacco-Free Future

For Stowelink Foundation, participation in the TIM Team reflects a broader commitment to protecting young people and communities from the harms of tobacco and nicotine products.

Over recent years, the organization has expanded its tobacco control portfolio through advocacy campaigns, digital monitoring initiatives, youth leadership programmes, policy engagement, and public education efforts. These initiatives complement Stowelink’s wider mission of advancing public health, preventing non-communicable diseases, and strengthening community health systems across Africa.

The organization remains a key contributor to national conversations on tobacco control, youth health, and industry accountability, while continuing to advocate for stronger implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and Article 5.3 protections against industry interference.

Looking Ahead

As Kenya continues to strengthen its tobacco control environment, the work of the TIM Team remains increasingly important. Through collaboration, evidence generation, and coordinated advocacy, members of the network are helping ensure that public health policies remain free from undue industry influence.

Stowelink Foundation remains committed to supporting these efforts through its youth engagement programmes, research initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and digital monitoring platforms.

The organization’s mission remains clear: to generate rigorous evidence, strengthen advocacy capacity, empower young leaders, and contribute to a healthier, tobacco-free future for Kenya and Africa.