Miraa traders and farmers in Meru have been angered by the decision by Nacada to list it as a drug.
In a research released last week, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse said miraa and muguka are some of the leading drugs abused by Kenyans aged 15-65 years.
Nacada CEO Victor Okioma said miraa is "a drug that causes many disorders".
He said it contains psychotropic substances that make people addicted.
"There are people who are being rehabilitated because of chewing miraa but the most harmful is muguka," Okioma said.
The Nacada boss said they would oppose attempts to have miraa value-added products such as juice and wine.
"We are also opposed to the expansion of miraa markets," Okioma said.
But Okioma sentiments have angered Meru residents, leaders, farmers and traders.
Former Agriculture CS Peter Munya said the World Health Organization has not listed miraa as a drug.
Igembe Central MP Dan Kiili said miraa should not be listed as a drug.
"Why are they not saying coffee and tea is a drug yet they keep mentioning miraa?" he posed.
Kiili said he is working on a bill to protect miraa from "unnecessary attacks".
Nyambene Miraa Trade Association chairman Kimathi Munjuri said the listing of miraa as a drug has hurt the business.
Jacob Mantili a miraa trader and farmer from Igembe said miraa cannot be labelled a cash crop and be listed by Nacada as a drug.
