Miraa chewing time law back as court dismisses case

A bunch of miraa: Chewing hours still restricted. [Phoo, Courtesy]

The High Court has dismissed a case filed by miraa farmers against the control of chewing time.

Justice Chacha Mwita dismissed the case by Kenya Miraa Farmers and Traders Association (Kemifata) against National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) for failing to attend court.

“The case has been dismissed for want of prosecution,” the judge ruled.

The miraa farmers claimed that the drugs control agency illegally restricted chewing time to between 5pm and 10pm.

The judge's decision means that the regulatory law is now in force.

The High Court had issued temporary orders barring Nacada from enforcing the regulation when the case was filed.

justice.

Through lawyer Henry Kurauka, the association blamed Nacada for the miraa imports ban imposed by the UK and the Netherlands.

Mr Kurauka said Nacada's move to classify miraa as a drug had caused them to lose their Western markets. Nacada denied classifying miraa as a drug.