Kenyan presidential aspirant vows to legalise bhang if elected

A Kenyan presidential aspirant has astonished his compatriots by promising to legalise bhang if elected to the country’s most powerful office.

 Roots Party presidential aspirant and lawyer Prof. George Wajackoyah argued that the plant had been demonised by the colonial powers at the expense of its medicinal and economic prospects which remain untapped.

“The white settlers came here and said that bhang is bad but I don’t see any problem with it. I don’t smoke bhang personally but my son does and I can’t just disown him for that when others are over-indulging in illicit brews,” Prof. Wajackoyah said in an interview on Channel 46.

As quoted by the Kenyan media, Wajackoyah said Kenya should borrow a leaf from other countries by considering the economic gains of growing weed arguing such a step would create employment and wealth.

“Bhang should also be grown here just like in America. Even in Jamaica bhang is cultivated and sold. Our job will be to grow it and sell it to those who use it. Such ventures will gain the country additional capital,” he said as quoted by Citizen TV news website.

“Let us face reality. If we have the means to boost our economy let us do so. Bhang can make medicine, soaps, lotions and the seeds are a great source of plant-based proteins,” he added.

“I will be the first president in Africa to legalise and export bhang, if they want to cast me out because of that it’s okay with me,” he said.

Wajackoyah is not the first Kenyan to make such a plea in Kenya. Former Kibera Member of Parliament the late Ken Okoth and the current Senator for Narok Ledama Olekina have made similar ones in the past under the same arguments.

Use and possession of bhang is an offence punishable by law in Kenya.