2 Popular Thika Road Clubs On The Spotlight After Latest NACADA Crackdown
NACADA has also warned that establishments found violating the ban risk closure and hefty fines.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
In an ongoing crackdown on illegal shisha use, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) conducted two high-profile raids in Nairobi on the night of Wednesday, March 19, seizing 52 shisha bongs and arresting three suspects.
The coordinated operations, led by NACADA’s Director of Enforcement and Compliance, James Koskey, targeted Alfakheer Lounge on Mirema Drive and Embassy Club along Thika Road, both suspected of flouting Kenya’s 2017 ban on shisha.
At Alfakheer Lounge, enforcement officers confiscated 10 shisha bongs and arrested one suspect. Meanwhile, at Embassy Club, the team seized 42 bongs, and 56 assorted shisha flavours, and detained two suspects.
Speaking after the operation, Koskey reaffirmed NACADA’s commitment to stamping out illegal shisha use.
Shisha bongs seized by NACADA after a raid at Alfakheer Lounge on Mirema Drive on March 19, 2025. /HANDOUT
“Shisha is not only illegal but also poses significant health risks to users, including addiction and respiratory diseases. We will continue to conduct such operations to ensure compliance with the law and protect public health,” he stated.
Notably, this isn't the first time the two entertainment joints have made headlines following crackdowns by NACADA on shisha smoking. Referring to past reports by Viral Tea, on March 19, 2024, a raid at Alfakheer saw 109 shisha bongs seized and two suspects arrested in the operation which stretched into the early hours of March 20, 2024.
Other contraband goods seized in the crackdown include 50 alfakher flavours (gums with mint flavour), 170 pieces of flavour al-sultan, 400 coconut charcoal pieces and 16 charcoal carriers as well as 140 orange mint alfakher flavours, 29 blueberry mint flavours, 50 grape mint flavours and other items used in consuming shisha.
Embassy Club was also in focus on January 20, 2024, as NACADA officers caused a scene as a result of their raid which saw the manager of the club arrested. Six other revellers believed to be consuming the illegal product were also arrested, with 23 shisha bongs and 40 flavours confiscated from the club.
The latest raids follow a series of recent NACADA operations targeting shisha hotspots across Nairobi. Earlier this month, officers raided a Westlands nightclub, confiscating 30 bongs and arresting four people. Another operation in Kilimani saw 15 bongs and assorted flavours seized, with three suspects apprehended.
Despite the government’s total ban on shisha—which prohibits its manufacture, sale, and use—some establishments continue to serve it secretly. NACADA has intensified its enforcement efforts to prevent a resurgence, particularly among young people who may be unaware of the health risks.
The 2017 shisha ban was enacted after studies linked its use to cancer, heart disease, and nicotine addiction. NACADA is now calling on the public to help identify violators by reporting illegal shisha sales through its toll-free helpline, 1192.
“We cannot win this fight alone. We need the support of the public to identify and report those breaking the law,” Koskey added.
The three suspects arrested will be arraigned in court, facing charges related to possession and distribution of shisha. NACADA has also warned that establishments violating the ban risk closure and hefty fines.
As the crackdown continues, NACADA is urging parents, teachers, and community leaders to educate young people about the dangers of shisha and other harmful substances.
