Ban miraa use to save our youth, leaders tell Joho
A file picture taken on July 23, 2013, shows Kenyan miraa (khat) traders sorting their produce and awaiting consumers in a market in Nairobi. Politicians are piling pressure to outlaw the consumption and sale of miraa in Mombasa. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Mr Mwinyi and Mr Twalib said as a result of miraa consumption, Mombasa has many layabouts who are still in their most productive age.
- These remarks come a few weeks after nominated ward rep Ms Fatma Swaleh introduced a motion in the county assembly to outlaw miraa.
- Nacada boss John Mututho said miraa was among the 20 most dangerous drugs in Kenya.
Politicians are piling pressure to outlaw the consumption and sale of miraa in Mombasa.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi and his Jomvu counterpart, Badi Twalib, want the governor Hassan Joho to ban khat, saying it is destroying the lives of hundreds of youths and marriages.
Some Members of the County Assembly also back the ban bid.
Mr Mwinyi and Mr Twalib said as a result of miraa consumption, Mombasa has many layabouts who are still in their most productive age.
The leaders claimed that khat is contributing to increased insecurity and poverty in the area.
LAGGING BEHIND
“First there was giza, then kangeta and now it is muguka. I urge young people to stop chewing these drugs and begin working. That is why we are lagging behind,” Mr Twalib said.
“Mr governor, miraa has not benefited us 50 years after independence. It has only destroyed lives, broken families and pushed poverty to levels higher. People are becoming zombies,” Mr Mwinyi said.
“I appeal to the youth to engage in income generating activities instead of wasting away their lives.
“Let us change our attitude and work like other Kenyans,” he said.
These remarks come a few weeks after nominated ward rep Ms Fatma Swaleh introduced a motion in the county assembly to outlaw miraa.
The motion was defeated and dropped, but Ms Swaleh promised to table it again.
“It is common for matatu drivers in Mombasa to chew miraa, oblivious of the danger they pose to passengers.
“Most drivers are usually high on the stimulant and are least bothered about the manner in which they handle passengers. They lack decorum and risk people’s lives,” she said.
Ms Swaleh said there was no guarantee of enforcing road safety rules when the drivers are high and drive at break-neck speed.
Recently, the National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) told the Mombasa County Government to formulate a law that would regulate the consumption and sale of Khat, especially in public areas.
Nacada director Fazul Yusuf urged the assembly to ensure regulation is passed, since the problem falls under the county’s jurisdiction.
Nacada boss John Mututho said miraa was among the 20 most dangerous drugs in Kenya.
