Kenyan actor and content creator Abel Mutua sparked fresh discussion on cannabis use after openly criticising weed and questioning its value in people’s lives. In a video posted on his TikTok account on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Mutua said he has never understood how marijuana has helped anyone. His comments quickly gained traction, especially among young Kenyans who follow debates on drug use and legalisation.
“Mimi sioni umuhimu wa bangi, najua mtanisulubu kwa sababu ya kusema hivi, lakini mimi sijui bangi imesaidia nani kwa hii maisha,” Abel Mutua stated. The remark, translated loosely to “I don’t see the value in weed. I know some people will crucify me for saying this, but I don’t know anyone whose life has been helped by weed,” highlighted his firm stance at a time when the country is experiencing a steady rise in cannabis consumption.
A 2022 NACADA survey showed that roughly one in every 53 Kenyans aged 15 to 65 uses cannabis. The same report indicated that cannabis use has surged by 90 per cent over the past five years, with almost half of users showing signs of dependence. NACADA also linked the drug to mental health concerns, memory problems, thinking difficulties, and various respiratory and heart complications. With cannabis still illegal in Kenya, possession of even small quantities can lead to heavy fines or jail time under the Narcotics, Drugs, and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Why Is Cannabis Use Rising in Kenya?
Growing conversations around legalisation have pushed more public figures, policymakers, and influencers to voice their positions. Some leaders argue that cannabis laws are outdated and unnecessarily punitive. Others maintain that the country is not ready for legalisation due to ongoing health and social concerns highlighted in national reports.
Those pushing for reform see potential economic and medicinal benefits. Supporters often cite examples of countries that have commercialised cannabis, pointing to job creation, tax revenue, and regulated health products. Even so, the increased use among young people continues to raise concern for organisations monitoring drug trends.
What Are Leaders Saying About Legalising Cannabis?
Prominent voices remain divided. Nelson Havi, former president of the Law Society of Kenya, has openly called for decriminalisation. “I will, in the coming week, file a constitutional petition to declare as unconstitutional all sections of the law criminalising the growing, processing, sale, and use of marijuana. We must level the vibes,” Havi said in a post on X in March 2025. He went on to add, “I have never understood the criminalisation of marijuana. It is a naturally growing plant that Jah gave to man.”
Senator Ledama Olekina supports legalising cannabis for medicinal use and commercial farming, while 2022 presidential candidate George Wajackoyah previously campaigned on legalisation as a strategy to boost the economy.
As the conversation continues, Mutua’s comments have added another layer to an already heated national debate. His blunt criticism has drawn both support and backlash, reflecting the larger divide over whether Kenya should embrace legalisation or maintain strict controls.
By Lucky Anyanje