A bill seeking to amend the Crops Act 2022 to repeal the Miraa regulations, 2023 has been filed in National Assembly.
Kilifi North Member of Parliament (MP) Owen Baya has filed a notice with the Speaker of the National Assembly proposing a review of the first schedule of the Crops Act 2022 part 3 to delete miraa from the list of scheduled crops.
Baya, the Deputy Majority Leader, also wants the Second Schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 2022 to classify muguka and miraa as psychotropic substances.
“The difference between muguka and miraa is in the levels of cathine and cathinone which are higher in muguka, therefore, miraa should not be specified as a scheduled crop as it contains harmful substances,” said Baya in the notice.
He said the well-being of the youth is under threat from drug and substance abuse.
“Muguka or miraa is one of the drugs highly abused by the youth and studies show that crime rates and anti-social behaviours are significantly higher after initiation of the substance use,” said Baya.
He said that studies show that the two stimulants could cause anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, manic behaviour, paranoia, lack of sleep, psychosis and many other health problems.
“By introducing the amendment, there will be more control on production and consumption of the substance,” said Baya.
Most leaders at the Coast and North Eastern have supported the ban on the sale and transportation of muguka by Mombasa and Kilifi counties. Other continues in the two regions have vowed to follow suit.
