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{
    "id": 439494,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/439494/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 313,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "I said that I am happy that I participated in the Committee’s deliberations and from the Report, it is very clear that the Government of Kenya has never contributed anything in support of the miraa sub-sector, in order to understand the crop and even have a structured way of engagement. We met different departments, Ministries, and even research institutions of the Government. They are very few. To a large extent, that is how we have lost as a country. I can tell you for sure we have lost germ-plasm. In fact, I am afraid that even though miraa is condemned in this manner, somebody can still go and get the substance in miraa . That is because miraa has very many useful properties. Somebody could easily carry out research on miraa and patent the useful properties in miraa and take it away from us. So, we need to move fast. The people I represent – and that is why I cannot compromise on this matter - depend on miraa . Condemning miraa means condemning the people and their way of life. In my community, where miraa is predominant, miraa plays a very important role in most of the cultural activities. This Report presents findings and recommendations. The Government, therefore, needs to take a proactive role in terms of reaching out to other countries, especially those in the European Union (EU), who have come up with legislation against miraa . As you have heard, the Reports by those countries, especially the UK and Netherlands--- I was in the team that went to Netherlands. They do not have any scientific basis or anything serious that proves that miraa is a bad substance. It is because there has not been a proper case and that is why we appeal to the Government of Kenya to consider the miraa issue just like it considers the matter of insecurity in the country. If miraa is banned in parts of Nyambene, I assure you that insecurity will The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}