By Staff Reporter | Wajir Today | Saturday, 6 December 2025

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi on Friday signed into law the Wajir County Miraa and Other Substances Control Act, 2025, marking one of the county’s strongest policy moves yet to regulate the sale and distribution of miraa and tighten oversight of other harmful substances.

The new law, passed unanimously by the Wajir County Assembly last week, establishes strict rules on where miraa can be sold and consumed.

All trading will now be restricted to designated zones, and sales will be prohibited near schools, places of worship, and health facilities, a measure aimed at shielding young people and vulnerable groups.

The signing ceremony brought together senior county leaders, including the Speaker of the County Assembly, Hon. Abdille Yussuf, Members of the County Assembly, County Executive Committee Members, directors, and a broad mix of religious and community leaders.

Governor Abdullahi said the new law represents a decisive escalation of the county’s efforts to curb drug and substance abuse, calling it an important moment for public health and community safety.

“Today, I signed the Wajir County Miraa and Other Substances Control Act, 2025, marking an important step in strengthening our efforts against drugs and substance abuse in Wajir County,” he said. “This law sets clear rules for the sale and distribution of miraa, including the requirement that all trading takes place in designated areas and away from schools, places of worship, and health facilities.”

The Act also seeks to reinforce national laws governing narcotics and banned substances, ensuring county-level enforcement aligns with Kenya’s broader legal framework on drug control.

It further provides for the creation of the Wajir County Authority for the Control of Miraa and Other Substances, an institution designed to coordinate regulation, enforcement, and public awareness.

A component of the legislation is its focus on rehabilitation. The law outlines mechanisms to support individuals struggling with substance use disorders, integrating treatment and reintegration programmes into the county’s public health strategy.

Governor Abdullahi praised the County Assembly for its unanimous support, framing the law as a collective commitment to protecting communities from the expanding impact of drug abuse.

“We are taking a firm step toward reducing the impact of drugs and substance abuse in our county,” he said.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony to local media, nominated Member of County Assembly  Adan Ali Issack urged miraa traders to follow the new rules, describing miraa as a gateway to broader substance abuse and warning of its growing social toll.

“We are calling upon the traders to observe the control measures. Miraa has become the father and mother of all drugs. Wherever there is miraa there is also all sorts of other drugs,” Issack said. “It would have been better if we offer alternative livelihoods to miraa traders so they can earn a decent livelihood, but there is currently no means to do that.”

A cross section of the members of the public have lauded the County Assembly for the law that lays the foundation for an all-out war against drug and substances abuse in a county where the overwhelming majority of the  youth are unemployed.

“It is a landmark achievement for us here in Wajir. Controlling Miraa has always been our dream because it affects our social and economic life. We are very grateful to the assembly” said Mr. Abdi Hassan a resident from Wagberi Ward.

Residents say the passage of new bill is a step towards protecting youth from drug addiction and other harmful social practices resulting from the stimulant and other narcotics.

“Miraa is the evil of all things here. It must be controlled by all means because it destroys the future of our community. As people of Wajir we must support the new bill overwhelmingly” Mr. Hassan added

Residents have asked the County Government of Wajir to implement the law without wasting more time in addressing drugs and substances abuse.

“It now requires the Municipality to enforce the bill once all other ground work are done. We call upon the full implementation of the law” said Ms. Halima Mohamed a resident from Township Ward.