Bhang illegal in Kenya

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), has maintained that marijuana is still prohibited in the country despite political calls to legalize it.

The authority, through a statement issued on Monday,  further warned that action will be taken on anyone found in possession of the prohibited substance.

“During the electioneering period and prior, there have been calls for legalization of cannabis for recreational use. Let be known that the law is still in force and that anyone contravening this law i.e. being in possession or trading in cannabis will be apprehended,” a part of the statement said.

According to Nacada, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act provides for the medical and scientific use of cannabis but recreational and commercial trade remains prohibited.

Roots Party Presidential Candidate George Wajakoyah has been vocal about legalizing the growing of bhang for commercial use if elected in the August 9 General Election.

During his manifesto launch on Thursday last week, Wajakoyah said that an acre of Marijuana can earn a farmer Sh8 million per harvest, arguing that the sale of Marijuana will help the country pay its public debt which is close to Sh9 trillion.

“The whole of Nyeri county is 583,000 acres. If we grew Bangi in Nyeri county, Nyeri residents will earn $45 Billion or Shs.4.6 trillion per harvest,” he said.

“And because Bangi is harvested twice a year, it means Nyeri residents will earn $92 Billion or Shs.9.2 trillion every year,” he said.

In the past, various members of Parliament have called for the legalization of Marijuana in Kenya. This includes the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth, who in 2018 filed a notice in the National Assembly introducing the Marijuana Control Bill 2018 to decriminalize the use of marijuana.

In the same year during an international trip in Lithuania, Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina shared a video recording of a vast parcel of marijuana (bhang) plantation and urged the government to follow suite and legalise it.