Scientist referred to Kebs for bhang test and analysis

By BONIFACE GIKANDI

Kenya: A Kenyan scientist has been referred to Kenya Bureau of Standard (Kebs) and Public Health Department to determine whether bhang has beneficial nutrition properties for humans.

Mr Johnson Irungu, on behalf of Agriculture Principal Secretary Sicily Kanini, said the Ministry of Agriculture could not offer advice on food grading as sought by Simon Njoroge Mwaura.

He was told the two government departments have the capacity to test and analyse his products and determine if they are fit for human consumption.

Mr Mwaura, who is affiliated to Hyaquip Kenya Limited, wrote to the Ministry on February 3, this year, seeking publication of a gazette notice to declare bhang and miraa as special crops to enable him undertake a pilot programme in all the counties.

Three months ago, Mwaura raised eyebrows after he said he was ready to contract farmers in selected counties to grow bhang for commercial purposes through strict regulation to curb misuse.

He said bhang is a source of potassium, which should be consumed on daily basis.