Kiraitu seeks State help on UK miraa ban

 

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi. He termed the UK ban on miraa illegal, saying there was no scientific proof that it was harmful. Photo/FILE

Posted  Thursday, July 18  2013 at  23:30

inShar

A senator wants to know if the government will help miraa farmers file a case in the UK in a bid to lift a ban imposed on the herb.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi termed the UK ban on miraa illegal, saying there was no scientific proof that it was harmful.

Mr Murungi tabled a July 2011 report of the UK Home Office, which he said, cleared miraa of any harmful effects associated with narcotics.

Driven into poverty

“What is the government doing to protect the miraa farmers in Meru whose economy is on the verge of collapse and who are going to be driven into poverty?” posed Mr Murungi.

The senator added that the miraa farmers were planning to sue the British government over the ban, which has grossly affected their business and livelihood.

He said Kenya’s laws were very clear that miraa was not a drug. “Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is the law governing drugs. Miraa is not among those drugs,” said Mr Murungi.

Mr Yusuf Haji said the government was aware of the threat posed by the ban, adding that the government will form a task force to investigate the matter. (READ: Senators differ over UK ban on miraa)