Miraa Is a Cash Crop, Gachagua Tells NACADA
Miraa is a cash crop and not a drug, Deputy President tells NACADA.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has echoed the commitment of the government to resolving challenges affecting Miraa farmers in the country.
DP Gachagua has urged NACADA to reserve its decision to categorize Miraa as a drug while speaking today on Sunday church service at the Methodist Church of Kenya in Kaelo, Meru.
According to DP Gachagua NACADA should be aware that Miraa is acaxh crop and not a drug. He added that those saying Miraa is a drug are enemies of the Meru Community.
He said that the same reforms being made in the coffee sector will also be prioritised for Miraa explaining that Miraa has positively impacted the lives of the many residents in the region.
Gachagua said President William Ruto is committed to boost the sector by securing a ready market across the country’s borders.
“Meru people went to school because of Miraa and these churches that you see here were built from its proceeds,” Gachagua said.
He said that soon the government will convene a Miraa conference similar to the previous ones of tea and coffee to discuss issues ailing Miraa farmers.
The Miraa conference will focus on tangible solutions to challenges affecting which include finding markets to ensure farmers growing it benefit.
He said he is working closely with Cabinet Secretaries Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) and Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives) to ensure farmers’ interests are protected.
Recent research by NACADA indicates that miraa and muguka are some of the leading drugs abused by Kenyans aged 15-65 years.
According to Victor Okioma, NACADA CEO, Miraa is a drug that causes many disorders as it contains psychotropic substances that make people addicted.
A few months ago the Meru community raised similar concerns.
Former Agriculture CS Peter Munya said the World Health Organization has not listed miraa as a drug.
Kiili is set to table a bill in Parliament to protect Miraa from “unnecessary attacks”.
