The United Kingdom government has now officially banned miraa with the ban taking effect from 24th June, 2013.
This means miraa will be considered an illegal drug in the UK and Wales,meaning it will become illegal to produce, possess, supply, import or export khat without government consent.
The law now gives British police power to arrest and prosecute anyone possessing or supplying khat with offenders risking up to 14 years in prison, a fine or both.
This comes as a big blow to Kenya that has been a major exporter of miraa to the UK and Europe and a slap in the face for Kenyan MPs who have made several appeals to the UK government to reverse the ban.
By Maureen Murimi