This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has sparked controversy by calling for the decriminalization of marijuana in Kenya during a memorial service for the late Kibra MP Ken Okoth.
On Thursday, Sonko addressed mourners at Moi Girls' School, where he expressed his support for the Marijuana Control Bill tabled by Okoth in 2018.
Okoth's bill aimed to decriminalize the growth and use of marijuana, which has been a contentious issue in Kenya.
Since Okoth's passing, there have been numerous calls from different factions for the bill to be passed in his honour.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has also joined the legalization campaign, tweeting in support of medical marijuana.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has since announced that he will take over Okoth's bill, vowing to push it through parliament.
President Uhuru's planned trip to Jamaica has also been cited as a reason for legalizing marijuana, with Sonko suggesting that Kenya could source the best weed from the Caribbean country.
Watch Governor Mike Sonko's comments on the legalization of marijuana below.
“Mnaona pia Rais anaenda Jamaica…Ikipitishwa (mswada) tutahakikisha ile bangi safi inakuja kutoka Jamaica kama ndio italeta dawa ya cancer” he said — Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 1, 2019
