Nassir accuses Gov't of intimidation over muguka ban after KRA raids his radio station

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has accused the government of sending Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials to his Rahma FM radio station on Thursday under the guise of tax compliance issues.

Addressing journalists at the station while KRA officials were conducting a thorough search of the facility, Nassir insinuated that the sudden scrutiny from the taxman stemmed from his recent decision to outlaw the sale, distribution and consumption of khat leaves, popularly known as muguka, in Mombasa.

"Leo watu wamekuja na vitisho. Hii mambo ya kila mmoja anakuja hapa and then ukiuliza wadosi wao wanakuambia ya kwamba sio wao wamewatuma. It means that people are taking orders from elsewhere," said Nassir.

"Kama mumetumwa kuja hapa kutuharass we are going to take this matter even further. Kama muguka ndio inafanya hii mambo mpaka mnaona ya kwamba mtatushika namna hii, kwa lazima, we will continue. Mmekuja hapa na tayari you have already threatened to carry transmitters. We will not be cowed."

While citing four different court orders that upheld the ban, a visibly irked and defiant Nassir expressed that he would not yield to pressure to revoke the ban for the sake of Mombasa residents, particularly children.

"For the first time in my life nimepelekewa kesi tano. Yote kwa sababu ya mambo ya muguka. Kesi nne zote zimesema kuwa hii ban iendelee. Moja ambayo hatujakuwa served, ambayo inatoka Embu pahali muguka yenyewe inatoka, inasema ya kuwa hiyo ban iweze kuwa suspended," said Nassir.

"We will not be cowed. Kama nikufunga biashara zetu fungeni kama mnaona hii radio inaongea kuhusiana na madhara ya muguka. Court order ambazo zimekuja will be the end of this conversation. This conversation is not going to cease!"

Acknowledging his willingness to participate in a proposed meeting convened by President William Ruto to discuss the ban, Nassir emphasized his firm stance against the use of the stimulant drug, noting that it would not change even in the presence of the head of state.

"I respect that the President ameitisha mkutano ambao utakuwa wa viongozi wenzangu; when that meeting comes we will notify you. We are going to tell the President exactly what we are saying. We do not want a product to be enforced on our people. We are going to state it the way it is; statistics show that this product is hurting our people," he said.   

"We cannot put money in front of a whole generation. Viongozi wamekuwa na kiburi ya kuongea ya kuwa watu wetu ni lazima watumie muguka na madawa za kulevya. When someone tries to stand up and speak, you see things like this. Hii tumezoea boss; mi nimekula teargas ya kutosha."

In a subsequent statement, Nassir's political outfit, ODM, likewise slammed the powers that be over their alleged role in the incident.

In the statement signed by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party called out the government for supporting the crackdown on illegal liquor while neglecting the issue of muguka, a reference seemingly aimed at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has spearheaded the nationwide drive in Central Kenya.

"We note with concern the silence of the so-called champions of a sober country, keen on fighting alcohol abuse in their political backyards but quiet when muguka ravages the young people of the Coast," said Sifuna.

"It is also unfortunate to see none other than President William Ruto himself polarizing and politicizing the war against the drug menace in Mombasa by attempting to countermand the decision taken by the three county governments and pledging public funds to ensure our youth have unrestricted access to Muguka essentially."

Sifuna added that barely 48 hours after Ruto's statement, muguka was forcefully ferried to Mombasa markets and unknown persons claiming to be agents of KRA raided Radio Rahma premises claiming tax arrears.

"Upon inquiry, the KRA leadership denied knowledge of such action through official channels. Sources who did not want to be disclosed indicated that this was action based on orders from above in reaction to the economic losses that muguka traders faced during Governor Nassir’s ban," said Sifuna.

"The ODM party wishes to condemn the weaponization of state agencies like KRA to harass and intimidate Governor Nassir and his colleagues who are only looking out for those they represent. The Party stands with the Governor in his efforts to rid Mombasa of the drug menace once and for all."