Velo is an addictive oral nicotine pouch that is made from water, plant-based materials, flavoring, sweeteners and pharmaceutical grade nicotine which is highly addictive.
The affordable poaches which come in different flavors including ice cool, mint and red ruby have university students in Kenya by choke hold.
Recent research shows that In every 10 university students ,8 of them have experimented this dangerous drug. Velo shot into the limelight this year after content creators started sharing their experience of using the nicotine filled drug. This influenced majority of people to join in and tell stories of their near death experiences at the hands of the poach.
The disadvantages of Velo seem to have attracted the attention of lawmakers who yesterday grilled Health Cabinet secretary, Nancy Nakhumicha who had appeared in the national assembly to respond to a few questions. The law makers asked her to explain how the drug landed in Kenya despite a similar drug branded as Lyft being banned from the country by her predecessor.
Taking two cans full of Velo to parliament, nominated MP Sabina Chege lay the first stone, armed with questions for the Health CS she enquired whether the manufacturing of the drug was legal adding that the CS should provide details of the manufacturer and distributors.
Nakhumicha explained that the poach was imported from Hungary and distributed by the British American Tobacco (BAT) adding that the ministry had put in place regulations to restrict the sale of the nicotine drug.
“British American Tobacco (BAT) Kenya PLC is licensed as a tobacco product Manufacturer in Kenya and has sought to manufacture nicotine pouches in Kenya but this has not yet started. No local manufacturer of nicotine pouches exists in the Country therefore all nicotine pouches are imported,” said the CS.
The MPs however argued that regulation of the product was not an enough measure calling for a total ban until Velo got investigated properly.
Exciting the assembly with her sentiments on the drug, MP Nyamira constituency Irene Mayaka , narrated her out of life experience after a velo using session.
“I want to ask madam CS to reconsider and have a total ban on Velo I can tell you out of experience and experimenting for five minutes it takes you to heaven and brings you back to earth,” the MP stated
On her part, the CS stated that the Ministry of Health would set up a team to look at the Tobacco Act of 2007 and guide on recommendations.