Raila Odinga Junior, son of Opposition leader Raila Odinga launched a campaign for the legalization of marijuana farming in Kenya.
Speaking during an interview on Kiss FM, the outspoken pro-marijuana advocate outlined his reasons for supporting the Bill proposed by Kibra Member of Parliament Ken Okoth.
According to Odinga Jr, bhang only became illegal in Kenya in 1994, before when it had been legal.
"One of the taboo subjects in Kenya is marijuana, but it is the right time to push for this. It was made illegal in Kenya 1994, but before that it was legal.
"It was used back in history as a pain reliever during childbirth, among other medicinal purposes.
"It can be used as a chronic pain reliever for cancer survivors, or a stimulant for appetites that does not need to be smoked. This is what we want to push," he stated.
Junior further explained that Okoth's Bill aimed at facilitating the medicinal use of the herb as opposed to recreational use.
"If you look around the world — America, South Africa — they have legalised recreational marijuana, and they are now pushing it to marijuana farming.
"Cannabis sativa, which is an Indian variety of cannabis, can be used as a cash crop product to earn foreign exchange, which adds to the economy of Kenya," he noted.
Odinga Junior added: "We know very well that if marijuana is abused, it can cause drug psychosis. But we are addressing control prescribed on medicinal use under the supervision of a health profession, because even painkillers like Panadol, when used wrongly, can kill."
The prominent personality also clarified that the new campaign had nothing to do with any political ambitions.
"Why is it that every time someone has something, the assumption is that they have an agenda to join something?
"I am performing my civic duty, which I feel we should all do. It is my passion and I was not vocal until something happened and I had to speak out through my social media, and now on radio," he noted.
