Miraa trader sues UK

PHOTO | FILE Miraa farmers at Laare in Ntonyiri, Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, prepare the twig for sale.

What you need to know:

  • In July, Home Secretary Theresa May announced that her government would ban the import of miraa into Britain in a ministerial statement delivered in Parliament
  • Ms May announced the ban following a report by Britain’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

A miraa (khat) trader in Britain has sued the UK Government for banning import of the commodity in July.

Mr Mahamud Ahmed Mohammed, a member of the Somali community living in the UK, filed the suit against Home Secretary Theresa May at the Her Majesty Courts and Tribunals Service in London on October 2.

The case is referenced number CO/14552/2013, according to the court papers seen by Sunday Nation.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi and Women’s Representative in Parliament Florence Kajuju will be the star prosecution witnesses.

“Mr Mohammed is the top importer of miraa in UK commanding over 70 per cent so we will be supporting his case,” said Mr Kiraitu. “Hon Kajuju and I together with Njuri Ncheke and other miraa traders will be the witnesses.”

In July, Ms May announced that her government would ban the import of miraa into Britain in a ministerial statement delivered in Parliament.

LOCAL CUSTOM

But in a suit filed by Paul Garlick QC, Mr Mohammed argues that chewing of miraa is a long-established social, cultural and ethnic custom within his community.

Mr Mohammed says the ban would prevent his expression of social and cultural customs associated with the use of miraa.

He also argues that he is an importer of the commodity and the ban would cause substantial damage to his business.

Ms May announced the ban following a report by Britain’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

She said the report recommended that miraa should not be controlled but acknowledged that the government should consider other factors when making its decision.