Mombasa County bans consumption of miraa, muguka by PSV operators

In a decisive move to enhance road safety and address escalating social issues, Mombasa County has banned Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators from using miraa (khat) and muguka while on the job.

The stringent measures are part of a broader crackdown on the sale and use of these stimulants, led by Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir despite heated discussions from other regions.

The governor emphasised the county's commitment to road safety and public health. "We will also clamp down on PSV operators chewing miraa or muguka while driving," he stated.

This announcement follows a period of escalating tensions between Mombasa County and miraa and muguka traders, as Abdulswamad ignored pleas from his Embu and Meru counterparts to relax the restrictions.

Despite multiple discussions, including appeals from Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire and Meru County leaders such as Senator Kathuri Murungi and Deputy Governor Reverend Isaac Mutuma M'ethingia, the governor has remained firm.

Zero tolerance

"As the leadership of Mombasa, we reiterate our zero tolerance on the sale of stimulants to minors and the resultant negative effects on their mental and physical health," he said.

The county has established a comprehensive set of regulations to control the trade and use of miraa and muguka.

These include closing all shops selling miraa and muguka within 100 meters of schools, mandating that transporters of these stimulants must be licensed and prohibited from carrying passengers, enforcing strict penalties on anyone found selling them to minors and retaining the cess charges at Sh80,000 per lorry.

The county has given traders a six-day ultimatum to comply with these regulations or face severe penalties, including shop closures and license revocations.

As Governors from the Coast, we have resolved to unite as one to not only ensure the socio-economic development of our people but to safeguard our children from the harmful effects of muguka abuse.

There is no turning back. We restore dignity and order to our communities. pic.twitter.com/RkcXhWxDYm

— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) May 19, 2024

Governor Abdulswamad underscored the non-negotiable nature of these measures, stressing that they are essential for safeguarding the youth.

This initiative has garnered support from other coastal leaders, with Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime pledging to also crack down on the sale of miraa and muguka to school-going children in his jurisdiction.

In Mombasa, inspectorate officers have already begun inspections, leading to arrests of non-compliant traders.