"Not under my watch!" Mombasa Governor vows not to relent in fight against muguka

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has defended the county's ban on muguka which has elicited mixed views across the country.

The governor, speaking on Spice FM on Monday, reiterated his administration's commitment to curbing the widespread use and sale of the product that was widely sold particularly near schools and religious institutions.

He said his administration aims to bring about a ‘year of sanity and order’ and they are determined not to let muguka continue to wreak havoc on the community under his watch.

Governor Abdulswamad emphasised the gravity of the situation, citing the severe health and social impacts of muguka.

"I imposed the ban when I realised people were taking the matter as one big joke. They are taking us as fools," he declared.

"The task force started working the next day. They did a report, went out, and gave notices to all the places that were selling it. I am not going to continue doing follow-up meetings," he said.

Abdulswamad highlighted the detrimental effects muguka has on the youth, recounting a recent visit to Port Reitz Hospital, where he found that 45 out of 70 patients admitted were muguka users.

"Psychiatric problems are rampant. You are giving muguka to a child over the years, and this is causing a problem. People tend to believe these stereotypes of taking us as if we are zombies. Stop speaking about us if you don't know us. We are going to speak our own story, we are going to tell it the way it is," he said.

Economic implications

The governor also pointed out the economic implications, noting that Mombasa is a major consumer of muguka, with the product generating significant revenue.

"That is where their daily money comes in. That is where they are getting their daily amounts, and I am hearing it is a product that is bringing in Sh22 billion, and Mombasa is the largest consumer of this product. I am assuming we are doing 30-40 per cent of this product," he said.

Abdulswamad criticised the ease of access to Muguka, describing it as cheaper than common food items like Sukuma wiki and boiled eggs, and more readily available than a ballpoint pen.

"A product that is being sold outside our schools, a product that has now been associated with being totally okay for a child to use. Someone had to come in and step in," he stated.

Governor Nassir issues Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 banning Muguka. pic.twitter.com/ljtwc4B3Ro

— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) May 23, 2024

He mentioned a 2019 report recommending the ban highlighted the urgent need for regulatory action. "When you start denying that you do not have a problem, then that itself is a problem. The reason why muguka is easily available is because, if you go to places like Embu and Meru, they do not sell it to their children," Abdulswamad explained.

In defending the ban, the governor underscored the need for responsible leadership.

"I will not be the governor who is going to be leading the people who will once be told that Mombasa is a reminder of what happens when leadership does not take action," he said.

Embu County moves to court

Embu County has already said it plans to sue over the recent ban on Muguka in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties, arguing the move could significantly impact its local economy.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire when she was hosted by her Mombasa counterpart Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir on May 15, 2024, for consultations on the control and sale of miraa/muguka in Mombasa County. (Photo: Mombasa County Government)

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire expressed dissatisfaction with the ban, stating the move comes after she and Embu MCAs met with Governor Abdulswamad and Members of the Mombasa County Assembly on May 15, 2024, where they established a joint working team to ensure compliance with the product's trade regulations and address the issues raised by the Mombasa County Government.

Governor Mbarire said that Muguka plays a crucial role in the Embu economy.

"The Muguka chain is estimated to contribute approximately Sh22 billion per year to the economy of Embu. Muguka farmers and other players who have invested heavily in the value chain therefore stand to lose in terms of revenue and livelihoods."

"We have engaged our legal teams to move to court and seek guidance on the matter as we anticipate similar orders from other counties at the Coast," Mbarire announced.

She urged muguka farmers and stakeholders to remain calm as the county seeks a resolution.