Coast leaders vow to outlaw muguka sale

Some of the Muguka traders at Kongowea market in Mombasa County on Wednesday 29th May 2024, a day after a court lifted the Muguka Ban in three coast counties. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Coast leaders have pledged to end the lucrative muguka trade despite its backing from the national government saying it is a medical issue and it should not be treated politically.

The leaders commended Kilifi North MP Owen Baya for taking muguka debate to the National Assembly as leaders said the stimulant threatens a whole generation due to its health effects.

Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) chairman, who is also MP for Wundanyi, Danson Mwashako, said they have invited MPs for a meeting to discuss a common stand and re-energise the war against muguka in the region.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said time to talk with muguka traders was over and that he is determined to continue with the war to protect Coast people.

“Figures from traders have shown that Mombasa residents spend Sh7 billion on muguka per year. This is more than what we spend on sukuma wiki,” said Nassir during Madaraka Day celebration in Mombasa.

He added: “After muguka, I will head to bar owners who operate close to schools, residences and places of worship. We must make sure that Mombasa is free from drugs,” he said.

Mombasa County Commissioner Noor Mohamed assured residents that the government is steadfast in fighting drugs and substance abuse in the county.

He said they recently seized about 800 kilograms of bang valued at Sh24 million, 1,627 grams of heroin valued at Sh4.9 million and 251 grams of cocaine valued at Sh800,000.

In Kwale County, Governor Fatuma Achani announced that she will increase muguka cess from Sh10,000 to Sh300,000 per lorry.

Addressing Madaraka Day celebration in Mackinnon ward in Kinango, Achani said she will use the County Finance Act passed last week to paralyse muguka trade.

She also urged MPs to change the national legislation that supports muguka as a cash crop and make it illegal because of its effects on the health of consumers.

“I want to thank Owen Baya (Kilifi North MP) who has tabled a motion in the National Assembly to change the law on muguka,” she said.

Kwale County Assembly Speaker Seth Kamanza and Kasemeni Member of County Assembly Victor Safari said the Finance Bill 2024 makes muguka charges so high to curtail its use.

In Kilifi County, leaders have defended muguka ban, saying the move was on medical reasons and not political.

Kilifi County Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire said the use of muguka has been blamed for the alarming cases of mental health.

He noted that the abuse of the substance has led to a large percentage of school dropouts who are grappling with health conditions such as insomnia and mouth ulcers associated with the stimulant.

‘’Those who have doubts should take muguka for testing and assess the health effects and see if what we are saying is a lie. For us, it’s not about politics but the wellness of our society,” said Mwambire.

The former Ganze MP said Coast leaders are open to dialogue with President William Ruto as he had earlier requested.

However, Mwambire said the meeting will not affect their decision to ban muguka in the region.

Meanwhile, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya has filed bill to amend the Crops Act 2022 and to repeal the miraa regulations, 2023.

Baya seeks to amend part 3 of the first schedule by deleting miraa from being specified as a scheduled crop.

If the bill goes through miraa and muguka will cease to be cash crops.

‘‘The well-being of the youth is a concern in our country especially when associated with drug and substance abuse. 

‘‘Muguka and miraa are highly abused by the youth in our country and studies show that crime rates and anti-social behaviours are significantly higher after initiation of the substance use,” said Baya.

He noted that National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse reports have indicated that miraa and muguka contain high levels of cathinone and cathine which are psychotropic substances listed in the second schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 2022.

“Therefore, miraa and muguka should not be specified as scheduled crops as they containharmful substances,” said Baya.

In Taita Taveta, Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo supported the ban on the stimulant that pose a threat to the productive generation in Coast.

Speaking at Mwatate Primary School during the county celebrations, Kilalo and other local leaders warned the national government against lifting the ban on muguka.

Mwatate MP Peter Shake criticized President Ruto for overturning the ban on Muguka by Mombasa and Kilifi County.

Kilalo said the county government will carry out public participation sessions in the region to sensitize residents to reject the sale and consumption of miraa and muguka.

“Women and youth have been badly affected by the sale of muguka. We are putting in place the necessary regulations that will enforce the ban completely,” disclosed Kilalo.

[Reporting Patrick Beja, Renson Mnyamwezi and Marion Kithi, Mombasa]