Mombasa Woman Rep wants muguka banned, miraa regulated

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohamed Chimba has firmly reiterated her unwavering stance against the use of muguka and the unregulated consumption of miraa in the county. 

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Chimba pledged to tirelessly advocate for the residents of Mombasa, aiming to combat the proliferation of muguka and enforce stringent regulations on miraa.

She underscored the impacts of the stimulants on the youth in the county saying young men have become like zombies, cannot secure employment and spend the whole day chewing miraa and muguka.

“I would have pushed for the banning of miraa but it is protected under the law as a cash crop...that is why we want it to be regulated; we have to have an amendment of the time of selling or who you are selling to,” she said.

“Miraa must be regulated but muguka ni lazima ikue banned…watoto wamelipuka mpaka wanavua manguo wanabaki uchi na kuzibeba kwa vichwa.”

She cited the neighbouring country of Tanzania where she said miraa is prohibited, saying Kenya should prioritize the welfare of the young people above its appetite for foreign currency.

“In Tanzania, miraa is not being sold. If you are found with miraa, you are jailed for life…that is why we should look at the effects on Kenyans,” she stated.

“There are some things that even if we get foreign currency, we have to relook at the effects to the people. You can’t chew miraa overnight, but siku hizi unapata wamekaa pale Mama Ngina wakikula miraa mpaka asubuhi.”

The lawmaker thus vowed to rally her colleagues to push amendments which would lead to the ban on muguka in Mombasa and regulate the sale of and consumption of miraa in the Coastal town.

“As MPs, we must come up with amendments to control how it is sold…nowadays, users just want to remain high and are using the stimulant together with other drugs, kisha wanaanza kulipuka. We don’t want rehab centres in Mombasa, we want factories and industries where our youths can be employed when they are sober,” she said.

The MP at the same time slammed Meru and Embu leaders following their recent protest after Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir proposed to regulate the miraa and muguka businesses.

According to the Woman Representative, the regions where miraa is grown have not experienced similar effects as Mombasa and thus the leaders have no moral authority to push for the sale of the stimulants in the Coastal city as it is destroying the livelihoods of families.

She consequently vowed to rally women and lead a protest against muguka and miraa, further calling upon the county governor to take a strong stand and work towards completely eradicating muguka usage in the county, while implementing regulated controls on miraa consumption. 

“I have no personal issue with the Meru people, they are our brothers and can supply other stuff such as vegetables and fruits. Pengine Meru watu wakikula hawana effects, but in Mombasa, wanakula 24 hours kama mbuzi, wakija kwa nyumba wametoa tu macho nje…our children have become zombies, even they cannot secure jobs, they have no teeth. We are tired!” Said Chimba.

“This is a time bomb, we have refused muguka and I’m sorry to mama Embu, I know you came for talks but we are going to hold a procession with Mombasa women because of muguka, drugs and even those clubs operating in estates.”

She added: “It is time for the county government to start looking at issues which protect the people. You don’t have to sit down with someone who is coming to spoil your children; you shouldn’t even give them time to talk. Miraa can be regulated as you are planning but you have to ban muguka.”

The legislator said her commitment to the cause would remain steadfast as she continues to champion the health and well-being of the community.

Governor Nassir on Monday disclosed more stringent rules to regularize miraa consumption in the county in addition to cess charges for muguka which have been raised from Ksh.24,000 to Ksh.80,000 for more than seven tons of the stimulant ferried to Mombasa in the county’s Finance Bill 2024.

The new regulations include designating special areas for the sale of miraa, banning Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), including boda boda and tuk tuk, from transporting stimulants without a license and prohibiting the sale of miraa and muguka near schools.

Drivers of the PSVs will also be banned from chewing the stimulants during their shifts while carrying passengers. This, according to the Governor, is to curb the exposure of minors to the drug.