By Staff Writer | Wajir Today | Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Debate about a crucial bill that seeks to restrict the use and sale of miraa in Wajir County received a boost on Tuesday following calls for its enactment to save youth and families.

Wajir County Assembly hosted stakeholders from the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), Supkem, imams, doctors, academics and legal experts to advance the draft Wajir County Miraa and Other Substance Control Bill.

The discussion, presided over by Wajir County Assembly Speaker Mr. Abdille Yussuf, was also attended by Acting Chief Khadhi Sheikh Sukyan Omar and NAMLEF Chair Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi.

Held as part of the Assembly’s effort to gather views, the session provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to add their input to the bill, which has received a welcome from a cross-section of Wajir residents.

Assembly Speaker Abdille Yussuf said that the bill, which had been under debate for the past few months, is now entering its final stage.

“The importance of this bill is to control the use and sale of miraa and other substances in the county. We know that the use of miraa is a big problem here in Wajir affecting all sectors of life,” Mr. Yussuf said.

The bill, he said, is in accordance with the mandate of the County Assembly, giving the people of Wajir a chance to address critical issues affecting their lives.

“As counties we were given a mandate to create laws for the counties. We are in the final stages of the bill and we will try to advance it so as to control miraa and other drugs,” the Speaker added.

Acting Chief Khadhi Sukyan Omar, who advocated for the finalisation of the bill, addressed the social and economic burden associated with the use of miraa and other drugs in Wajir and neighbouring counties.

“Our community has been affected by the problem of miraa for long. It is affecting all sectors of life including the security and safety of the community,” Sheikh Sukyan said.

The Khadhi added that they are collaborating with stakeholders including the Wajir County Assembly, local leaders and imams to safeguard the future of a community that is at risk.

“We are seeing the social and economic problems caused by the use of miraa, and our youths are devastated,” Sheikh Sukyan said.

The Assembly forum listened to expert opinions from lawyers, academics and doctors to make the draft bill stronger and avoid legal loopholes in order to deal with the miraa menace within the confines of the Constitution.

Health experts who gave their opinion about the bill emphasised the medical implications caused by the use of miraa while recommending age limits to restrict miraa use.

“We recommend that we add special clauses to the bill such as age restriction,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdirahman. “We also recommend special licences and regular annual public education campaigns to prevent youth initiation and dependency.”

Academics also added their voice to the debate, highlighting the importance of including evidence-based recommendations to make the bill stronger.

“We need to have properly conducted and evidence-based research to strengthen the bill,” said Dr. Mohamed Abdinoor, a renowned scholar.

Meanwhile, NAMLEF representatives, who have thrown their weight behind the bill, called for local support from all stakeholders to save the community from the social and economic ills of miraa.

“This is about saving our community by dealing with the problem of miraa and other substances since we are having a lot of social, economic and even security problems,” said Sheikh Abdislam from NAMLEF.

Former Mandera East Member of Parliament Hon. Mohamed Hussein said the draft bill is about safeguarding the interests of the local community by protecting them from the problems associated with miraa addiction.

“We are here to present our recommendations to the bill. Khat is everywhere, sold by everyone and available everywhere. We have become an irresponsible community,” said Mr. Hussein.

The former legislator called for strict controls on the use and sale of miraa to protect the community from its economic and social implications.

“At the least we need to have controls against the use and sale of miraa, like we have laws governing the sale and use of alcohol in Kenya.”

The forum is one among many platforms that the assembly hosted to seek recommendations from the public and other key stakeholders.

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