Kilifi governor seizes, burns bags of muguka hours after Ruto’s order
Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro has continued to implement his ban on muguka in the region despite President William Ruto’s order.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Governor Mung’aro announced that his administration had seized bags of muguka in the county.
According to the county boss, 85 bags of the leaf stimulant were recovered and torched.
The operation was carried out in Mnarani, Mavueni, Shella and Kisumu Ndogo in Malindi.
In his statement, Governor Mung’aro insisted that it is his responsibility to protect Kilifi residents against the use of muguka.
“It is our responsibility to protect Kilifi future generations,” the statement read in part.
Kwa mara nyengine tena, operasheni yetu dhidi ya muguka Kilifi imekuwa ya mafinikio. Tumenasa na kuchoma moto magunia 4 katika sehemu za Mnarani, Mavueni na Uwanja wa Water huku vilevile tukiteketeza magunia 3 katika mitaa ya Shella na Kisumu ndogo mjini Malindi.
— Gideon M. Mung’aro, OGW (@GideonMungaroM) May 28, 2024
Ni jukumu letu… pic.twitter.com/26QfXcTD5U
Ruto’s order
The operation came hours after President Ruto termed the muguka ban in the three coastal counties unconstitutional.
Kilifi, Mombasa and Taita Taveta County had placed an embargo on sale and distribution of muguka.
However, following a State House meeting with Embu and Meru leaders, Ruto termed the ban null and void.
Instead, Ruto vowed to support its farming by pumping Ksh500 million.
Ruto said muguka is a scheduled crop in accordance with the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
“With muguka having been recognised by national legislation, any other laws or orders that contradict national legislation is null and void,” Ruto insisted
Talks with coastal governors
In a separate statement on Tuesday May 28, 2024, Ruto announced that he had held a phone conversation with the governors over the muguka issue.
He held talks with Governors Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Mung’aro(Kilifi) and Andrew Mwadime (Taita-Taveta).
The Head of State pointed out that the leaders agreed to participate in a stakeholders meeting to address the move to ban Muguka in the three counties.
“I have engaged the governors of Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita-Taveta counties on their concerns and challenges in the sale of muguka,” Ruto stated.
“Governors Nassir (Mombasa), Mungaro (Kilifi) and 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.”
He further pledged to convene a meeting with the leaders from the affected counties.
Muguka court order
The High Court sitting in Embu County further suspended the ban on Muguka.
In a ruling on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Justice Lucy Njuguna issued a restraining order to the counties from effecting the ban on Muguka until July 8, 2024.
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