Now UK is no-go zone for miraa traders

You will be risking a 14-year jail term, unlimited fine or both for trading in miraa in the UK following the signing into law of a Bill banning the herb in the country.

Expected to come into force on June 24, the law will make it illegal for an individual in the UK and Wales to be in possession of the herb whether for trade or use.

According to a khat factsheet for England and Wales from the Home Office, the herb is banned as it contains natural ingredients which are already controlled drugs in the UK and the rest of of the world. The ingredients, the factsheets says, are harmful.

Khat smuggling

“To help protect local communities from the potential health and social harms associated with khat and to ensure that the UK does not become a hub for international khat smuggling, it will become illegal to produce, possess, supply and import or export khat without a Home Office licence,” reads the factsheet.

If found in possession of miraa in the UK and Wales after the ban date, one will face penalties ranging from a Sh7,173.68 (£60) or face arrest for third party possession.

The herb has also been banned in public and private places and supplying it even at non-profitable terms will be illegal.

Several attempts to review the ban have been made, with the most recent being a move by a miraa importer in the UK, Mr Mahamud Ahmed Mohammed, to file a petition at the High Court in London arguing that Secretary of State for Home Department Theresa May failed to take into account any scientific evidence before classifying miraa a drug and banning its importation in the European nation.

Miraa traders in Kenya have now been forced to scout for alternative markets for the herb to keep their businesses afloat. UK was Kenya’s largest market for the herb with consignments to the country valued at Sh2.8 billion every week.

The Nyambene Miraa Traders Association spokesperson Kimathi Munjuri said the association is looking for fresh markets to cushion farmers from losses as a result of the ban.

Small markets

“We are now seeking to increase our business in Malawi, Mozambique both of which are a very small markets currently. At the moment, we export one tonne in a week,” said Mr Munjuri.

“We are also looking to for more markets in China, which we are aware has arrangements with Ethiopia on trade of miraa.”