They found a new market for Miraa - China..

[Georgesoros]

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I told you.
http://news.yahoo.com/china-crackdown-qat-chewers-094500338--politics.html

[veritas]

Oh dear. That stuff kills soils. Needs a lot of water.

[Olekoima]

Can't imagine a Chinese chewing that stuff.

[Omollo]

We have to seriously review this whole idea of selling forbidden drugs to other people around the world. I think Kenya should not just stop the cultivation of miraa but must also ban its consumption. If other countries have found it fit to ban it, so should we before the rest of the world by administrative action places this stuff on the same list as cocaine and heroin. We have a duty to be responsible people and not simply greedy for money.

[veritas]

Chinese enjoy chewing. They're chewers. Dried squid etc.

[Omollo]

May be that is why their government banned the stuff

Chinese enjoy chewing. They're chewers. Dried squid etc.

The Chinese government banned qat earlier this year

[veritas]

Yep. Should be banned. Qat has the potential to flourish in China.

[Olekoima]

I think the areas that grow Miraa in Kenya could easily grow tea. Why not switch to this then?

[veritas]

Kericho owns tea monopolies. The Somalis and neighboring countries need their qat.

[Olekoima]

Well, they can grow their own gat then.

[veritas]

Why? Qat/drugs is a lucrative sector in Kenya. Plus MK has the perfect climate for it. Apparently can breed long healthy stems.. Somalia is too arid.

[Olekoima]

Why? Qat/drugs is a lucrative sector in Kenya. Plus MK has the perfect climate for it. Apparently can breed long healthy stems.. Somalia is too arid.

Why? In case we go a head with the ban (well if Kenya bans it).

[veritas]

Kenya will never ban it. Too lucrative and it fuels election war chests. Tends to be the case among politicians not just in Kenya.