Editor's Review

CS Kipchumba Murkomen threatened action after discovering that the substance is cultivated on a 10-acre piece of land inside the vast Mt Kenya forest. 

Lawyer Nelson Havi has expressed his interest in defending the growers of bhang inside Mt Kenya Forest should they be charged in court. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that after its discovery, the government had deployed a multi-agency team to crack down on the cultivators of the substance grown on over 10 acres inside the vast forest. 

Murkomen observed that the activity was being undertaken by a wide racket involving, among others, the police and local administrators, saying that an operation was underway before action is taken.

"The cultivation of cannabis in Mt Kenya forest is another growing problem in the three counties. The partnership between the police, KFS, and KWS is helping to reverse the trend," he said.  

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Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen.

Reacting to the illicit activity and Murkomen's sentiments, Havi said the growers of the substance were enterprising Kenyans who should be supported in the trade. 

The former Law Society of Kenya president argued that bhang was a valuable product that ought to be processed and marketed like any other cash crop.

He promised to offer legal services to whoever is brought before justice in connection with the activity.

"These hard-working farmers need support to add value to their produce and market it. If you know them, ask them to contact me. I will act for them. It is time we challenged that colonial law criminalising the growth of omusala," Havi said.

Despite the heavy advocacy for legalisation by some quarters, bhang remains illegal in Kenya.

Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, individuals found in possession of the substance face a minimum prison sentence of ten years if convicted.