Photo: The Star

Ban of Khat is the UK not targeting Kenyan government - Envoy.

Maputo — Kenyan traders are turning to Mozambique following a decision by the British government to ban the stimulant khat later this year.

Khat - also known as miraa - is already banned in the United States and most European countries, leaving Britain as a major export market. The drug is traditionally used by Britain's Somali, Yemeni and Ethiopian communities.

The British government's move ignores the expert opinion of its own Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

The decision was taken partly because of a fear that the UK could become a regional hub for smuggling the drug into Europe, particularly the Netherlands where khat is illegal whilst other drugs such as marijuana are partially legalised.

The Kenyan newspaper "The Star" reports that last week a consignment of khat was sent to Pemba in northern Mozambique.

However, the shipment was less than a hundred kilogrammes, which is considered a minor transaction compared to the thousands of kilogrammes destined for the European market.

According to Nyambene Miraa Traders Association spokesperson Kimathi Munjuri, the first shipment was small, but more will be done to boost volumes and seek markets to save the trade.

Khat is a major cash crop in parts of Kenya. Exports to Britain from the Meru region are worth an estimated 7.5 million US dollars a year.