Why Chewing or Miraa has been banned at Statehouse

It will now be an offence for police officers and civilian staff working in President Uhuru Kenyatta's security detail and State House to chew muguka or miraa (khat).

Civilian staff working or residing within State House or any of the presidential escort camps will also face disciplinary action should they be found chewing the stimulant.

Officers serving retired President Mwai Kibaki either at his Nyeri home or Nairobi home are also affected by this directive.

The order was issued by the head of the president's escort team Josephat Kirimi who said that chewing miraa had heath challenges to officers and their families.

Officers heading police camps where officers from the GSU RECCE unit who guard the president, have been instructed to take action on anyone flouting the directive.

The new order came to effect on Tuesday when a communication was issued in writing.

The circular was issued by George Kirera, the in-charge of administration at the president’s security team.

Yesterday, sources within presidential escort said the directive was a security measure taken to guard against the spread of Covid-19.

Police officers working within State House and state lodges will work under a new rota that will see them take leave after a month.