Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mong’are has admitted to smoking bhang.
Mong’are, who is eyeing the presidency, shocked the Senate on Wednesday when he said he used bhang during his childhood days.
The senators were debating a petition seeking to legalise the use of Cannabis Sativa (Bhang) plant in Kenya.
"It doesn't mean that if the plant is legalised, it will destroy lives. It depends with the level of indulgence. As a juvenile, I used it. I was also in India where the plant is legalised but it is vital if people are disciplined. You can choose not to use it," said Senator Mong’are.
He added, "As a House, we can come up with regulations that encourage deterrence. The government can allow it but have regulations that restrict use."
The senators, for some time, put the presidential hopeful to task, to explain whether he was in his right state of mind.
They inquired whether his presidential bid was as a result of the state of mind he finds himself in, after consuming bhang.
Mong'are, however, defended his bid for the country’s top job saying, "I used to use it sometime ago. It didn't inform my decision to contest for presidency. If the senators want to know about the plant, the House should organise for a retreat to discuss the same.”