A politician campaigning to legalise marijuana in Kenya has just been cleared to stand as a presidential candidate in August’s election. George Wajackoyah, a lawyer and law professor, has tried for the top job before without making much of an impact. But this time round, his pro-marijuana message has garnered headlines since he made this his platform in February. He has set up a political party called Roots that wants Kenya to decriminalise and farm cannabis to help pay off the country’s bulging debts. Earlier this week, his registration to stand as a presidential candidate was turned down by the electoral commission as he did not have enough signatures. On Thursday, he resubmitted his paperwork and officials have ruled it is now in order. The battle for the presidency is likely to be a two-horse race between Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. However, the Roots candidate, who has an extraordinary life story - going from living on the streets of the capital, Nairobi, as a child to become a respected lawyer with at least six degrees - is enlivening the campaign and opening up the debate on marijuana.
