The National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) has refuted claims that it is planning to label Miraa as one among the hard drugs.
The Angency's CEO, Mr. William Okedi was responding yesterday to a case filed by an association of miraa traders claiming that the anti-drug agency is planning to classify the plant as a narcotic something which they say will hurt their economic welfare.
Mr. Okedi observed that the traders are just but abusing the court process saying adding that NACADA has not made any move in banning miraa even though it has raised concerns regarding the plant's side effects.
He also added that according to a survey done by the anti-drug agency last year, 4.2 percent of Kenyans who are between the age of 15 and 65 chew miraa. This translated to about 1.2 million Kenyans. Miraa consumption is high at 5.7 percent among the youth aged 25 to35 years.
“Miraa has two key psychoactive substances, namely cathinone and cathine, which cause feelings of euphoria and empathy,” said Okedi, “It is important to note NACADA does not advocate for a ban on miraa production as that is not within its mandate under the law,” he added regarding Nacada's role mandate.
The petitioners through their lawyer, Henry Kurauka, informed the court that they are traders, consumers and farmers of miraa and that they depend on the plant as a source of income.
Responding to the suit, High Court Judge Isaac Lenaola directed the chairman of the association to file an affidavit showing that miraa is not a drug as well as Nacada's proposal to ban it.
Also enjoined in the matter are seven MPs from the Meru County.
The case will be mentioned on August 19. This is after Henry Kurauka, the lawyer representing the traders sought to consult Nacada first.
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