President Ruto engages Coastal governors over muguka ban

The president in a statement on Tuesday said he had engaged the disputing parties and they had reached a consensus to attend the discussion chaired by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi this week.

“I have engaged the governors of Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita-Taveta counties on their concerns and challenges in the sale of muguka. Governors Nassir(Mombasa), Gideon Mungaro (Kilifi) and Governor Mwadime(Taita-Taveta) have agreed to participate in a meeting of all stakeholders to be convened by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock this week as was agreed with the leadership of Embu County on Monday,” Ruto wrote on X (formerly Twitter.)

The head of state also revealed that political leaders of the affected counties would meet next week.

The remarks come after President Ruto and the Embu leadership held a special meeting on Monday to discuss the ban on Muguka in select counties. 

During the meeting,  CS Linturi faulted Mombasa and Kilifi governors over the ban of Muguka terming it ‘null and void’ arguing that Mũgũka is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023. 

Last week the three counties, Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta banned the entry, transportation, sale, and use of Muguka and its products.

Governor Abdulswamad Nassir on Thursday ordered the ban highlighting the pervasive consumption of the stimulant drug at the Coast, including among school-going children.

The orders by the two governors came in the wake of a spirited push by women leaders who have been calling for the ban of muguka, and regularisation of miraa over the drugs' detrimental effects on young people's health.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire moved to court to challenge the ban on Muguka reiterating that the livelihoods of her community which she said pockets about Ksh.22 billion per year from the sale, would be affected.

Two petitioners Peter Odhiambo Agoro and Michael Mutembe Makarina have also moved to court to challenge the ban, submitting that Muguka is not perceived as a drug and that is why it is legal in the country.