The Nyambene Miraa Farmers and Traders Association (Nyamita) is pushing for the removal of miraa from the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act 1994.
Appearing before Parliament recently, the association urged legislators to prioritise removing the stimulant crop from the list of drugs, as scheduled by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada).
Association chairman Kimathi Munjuri said it has been two years since the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill 2024 underwent public participation, yet farmers, traders and stakeholders remain unclear on its progress.
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The lobby argued that miraa in its natural form should be excluded from the list of drugs and psychotropic substances. Its classification as a drug by Nacada, they said, has hampered marketing and promotion despite miraa being legal under national law. Nyamita has written to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi inquiring about the Bill’s status. Munjuri said the crop grown in Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu, is critical for livelihoods.
Stakeholders blame agencies including Nacada and cite the World Health Organisation, which classifies miraa as a drug, for blocking value addition despite the crop’s huge economic potential.
By Our reporter
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