President William Ruto has issued fresh orders on the ban of muguka after meeting leaders from Embu County at State House, Nairobi.
Ruto on Monday, May 27, 2024, met the Embu County leadership led by Governor Cecily Mbarire to address the recent concerns over the ban of muguka by Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
Scheduled crop
Ruto agreed with the Embu leaders that muguka being a scheduled crop in accordance with the
Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023, a meeting should be convened to discuss the ban.
Ruto further ordered Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi who was also in the meeting, to convene a forum of all parties and stakeholders concerned, and come up with a solution.
“I have held a productive meeting with the leaders of Embu County on the recent ban on muguka. We have agreed that miraa/muguka being a scheduled crop, a meeting be convened to discuss the issue. Consequently, I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture to convene a forum of all parties and stakeholders concerned,” Ruto said in a statement posted on his official X account.
Muguka ban addressed
Ruto directed that the forum convened by Linturi should aim to address concerns raised and agree on the implementation of the miraa/muguka Regulations 2023.
I have held a productive meeting with the leaders of Embu County on the recent ban on muguka. We have agreed that miraa/muguka being a scheduled crop, a meeting be convened to discuss the issue.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 27, 2024
Consequently, I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture to convene a forum of all… pic.twitter.com/592jkrr78N
A statement from State House further declared the recent ban of muguka as null and void.
“With muguka having been recognized by national legislation, any other laws or order that contradicts national legislation is null and void. The Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023 were passed by the National Assembly and the Senate and with the concurrence of the Council of Governors,” the statement reads in part.
Ruto said his government has committed to allocate KSh500 million in the 2024/25 Financial Year for
value addition of muguka and miraa crops.
Embu County had vowed to move to court to challenge the move by Mombasa and Kilifi banning the supply, sale, and consumption of muguka, a substance containing still cathinone.
Speaking on Friday, May 24, 2024, Embu Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo said there was no justification for banning muguka claiming there is no scientific evidence to prove that muguka was a drug.
He said there was no single law prohibiting its sale or consumption.
Mugo said they will seek orders lifting the ban as they seek other avenues of unlocking the stalemate.
The Embu leaders had urged President Ruto to intervene on the issue to safeguard muguka traders and farmers.
Muguka’s health concerns
Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir and his Kilifi counterpart Gideon Mung’aro gave executive orders barring any entry, use and sale of muguka in their counties in response to health concerns.
They both cited its detrimental effects on the youth of Mombasa.
The governors highlighted the pervasive consumption of the stimulant drug at the Coast, including among school-going children.
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