Nairobi — Parliament has initiated measures to put con artists posing as herbal doctors out of business.

The House unanimously approved a motion seeking to regulate the herbal medicines sector.

Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo (ODM) rallied MPs during debate on the motion seeking to compel the government to formulate a policy to govern the highly ad-hoc nature of herbal medicines sector.

His motion was seconded by Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, who said an oversight body to monitor herbalists was needed.

There were 11 MPs in the House when the Bill was passed and the ball is now in the government's court to draft a law to implement it.

The passage of the Bill will see millions of Kenyans who have been unable to access conventional drugs flocking to herbalists without fears of the authenticity of the treatment they will get.

Assistant ministers Katoo ole Metito, Bifwoli Wakoli, Asman Kamama, James Gesame and Kilemi Mwiria gave the motion the nod, citing the affordability and accessibility of herbal medicine.

Dr Gesame said if the herbal drugs sector is regulated, the Kenya Revenue Authority will collect more taxes.

Mr Kamama said the perception that use of herbs bordered on witchcraft was "misguided". He said Chinese drugs were flooding the market, yet Kenyans did not benefit from their rich plant life.

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo (ODM) and Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale (New Ford Kenya) called for the registration of herbalists and allowing traditional healers to practice in hospitals.

Dr Khalwale said instead of associating herbalists with witchdoctors, a board should be set to monitor their activities.

Ms Odhiambo: "Witchcraft is a crime and must be outlawed; herbal medicine is not and has to be supported."

MPs Francis Baya (Ganze, Kaddu Asili) and Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu Town East, ODM) supported the motion, saying there was too much dependence on the often expensive Western medicine.

The MPs said regulation was the only way to lock out charlatans.

Quacks, the MPs said, exploit widespread fear, ignorance and poverty as well as regulatory weaknesses to make money.

They often claim their prescriptions were "healthy and natural" and could cure all manner of illnesses, including HIV and Aids, cancer, diabetes and asthma.

Their activities bordered on witchcraft and their list of cures was bizarre as some also claimed to have remedies for impotence and non-medical problems like bad luck, the MPs said.