"I Do It Once a Month": Senator Karen Nyamu Admits to Personal Miraa Use

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has revealed that she is a consumer of miraa, describing it as one of the "small pleasures of life." The Senator made these remarks during a session in the Senate while debating a proposed amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The debate centres on a bill sponsored by Senator Murungi, which seeks to declassify cathinone and cathine—the active components in miraa—from the list of banned substances. Nyamu argued that the current legal classification creates a "contradiction" that stifles the industry.

Occasional Pleasure, Not Abuse

While addressing the House, Senator Nyamu was candid about her personal habits. She told colleagues that she consumes the stimulant approximately once a month.

"I consume miraa personally. I don't abuse miraa. I do it maybe once in a month and it is one of those small pleasures of life,” she admitted.

The Senator insisted that consumption should not be confused with abuse. She cited World Health Organisation studies which, she claimed, show that miraa has a low risk of dependency and is not prone to abuse.

Nyamu suggested that those who struggle with the substance are "simply abusing it" rather than the crop itself being inherently dangerous.

Unlocking the 'Jaba' Economy

Beyond personal use, the Senator's primary focus was on the economic potential of the crop. She noted that miraa is a vital economic pillar for regions like Meru and Nyambene.

The Senator provided significant figures to highlight the scale of the industry:

• 500,000 families in Meru rely on the crop directly and indirectly.
• The trade funds school fees and basic livelihoods for thousands.
• It serves as a major contributor to Kenya's GDP and tax base.

According to Nyamu, the current laws prevent investors from adding value to the crop. She pointed out that products like "Jaba juice" are currently traded as if they are part of an illegal market.

Because of the current narcotics classification, entrepreneurs cannot obtain licenses to process or process miraa into other products.

Legislating with Courage

The Senator highlighted a legal tug-of-war. While the Crops Act of 2013 recognises miraa as a legal crop, the narcotics laws suggest otherwise. This leaves farmers and traders in a state of uncertainty.

"We are telling farmers on one hand, grow the crop, and on the other hand, we're telling investors, you cannot process it."

Nyamu urged the House to legislate with courage and with clarity. She believes that passing the amendment will create jobs for the youth and expand the national tax base.