- Murungi said amendment to the act will greatly help the miraa industry because even value-added miraa products cannot licensed.
- He spoke on Wednesday when he made his maiden speech as senator in the Meru county assembly.
Image: DENNIS DIBONDO
Meru Senator and Deputy Senate Speaker Kathuri Murungi has told residents he is working to have miraa, the region's top cash crop, declassified as a drug.
He has sponsored the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Amendment Bill 2023, he said.
Senator Murungi said despite miraa being one of the crops listed in the Crops Act of 2013, the Nacada and other agencies have continued to classify it as a drug.
“It must be removed nationally and internationally so that the crop can get market and we can assist our farmers,” Murungi said.
He said at the International Miraa Conference organised by former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi in collaboration with Kenya Medical Research Institute both Nacada and Kebs expressed their support for development of miraa products but cited legal issues leading to classification of the crop as a psychotropic substance.
“Most miraa product manufactures expressed dissatisfaction as their value-added products cannot be licensed because of the components of miraa," he said.
Murungi said amendment to the act will greatly help the miraa industry because even value-added miraa products cannot licensed.
He spoke on Wednesday when he made his maiden speech as senator in the Meru county assembly.
“I am pleased to attend and address this eminent county assembly of Meru pursuant to Senate Standing Order 253, which provides that a senator may in accordance to the rules and procedures of the county in which he or she is registered as a voter attend and address the county assembly or a committee,” Murungi said.
He said that through his legislative mandate he sponsored an amendment to the County Public Finance Act to give county assemblies financial autonomy.
He said after the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, the Senate recommended a legal framework to provide for mandate, staffing and resourcing of the office of the deputy governor to minimise wrangles between governors and their deputies.
“It is from this that I have sponsored amendment of county government laws to have a specific and express law of the office of deputy governor with a clear demarcation between governors and deputies to minimise constant friction between two executive officers,” he said.
The senator said banditry attacks on Meru-Isiolo border was a major concern and he has raised it with the national government.
Murungi was accompanied by nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, senators Wamatinga Wahome (Nyeri), David Wafula (Bungoma), Raphael Chimela (nominated), Godfrey Ototsi (Vihiga), Alexander Mundigi (Embu) and Enock Wambua (Kitui).