Kwale says it will not ban muguka, Mombasa and Kilifi adamant

In a move that sets it apart from other coastal counties, Kwale has announced it will not impose a ban on the transportation, sale, and use of muguka, a stimulant that is a variant of miraa (khat).

Governor Fatuma Achani noted on Tuesday that no national law prohibits muguka and that while she does not support its consumption, the county's approach will focus on regulation rather than prohibition.

"We will not ban the use of muguka due to legal constraints, but we are closely following legal avenues to ensure its use is regulated," Governor Achani told reporters at the county headquarters, adding that her county was drafting its 2024 Finance Bill to control and increase taxes on the commodity.

She reported that the county assembly's Finance Committee recently gathered public opinions on the bill, with residents largely backing an increase in the monthly muguka tax from Sh10,000 to Sh100,000 as a measure to curb its use among youth.

"We aim to implement stringent regulations on muguka in Kwale through the 2024/2025 Finance Bill as soon as I sign it into law," she said.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani addresses the media in her office on May 3, 2024 (Photo: Mishi Gongo/EV)

Kwale's stance comes a day after President William Ruto met with Embu County leaders, led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, to discuss the legality of muguka bans in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta.

President Ruto nullified the ban and directed the Agriculture ministry to convene a consultative meeting of key stakeholders to discuss their concerns.

The State House also announced that the government had set aside Sh500 million to scale up farming, aggregation and value addition to scheduled crops such as muguka and miraa in the 2024–2025 financial year.

Mombasa and Kilifi adamant

Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta had not yet responded to The Eastleigh Voice's request for comment by press time on Tuesday.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir, who has banned muguka in his county. (Photo: Mombasa County Press)

On Radio Jambo earlier in the day, however, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir and his Kilifi counterpart, Gideon Mung'aro, made it clear that their stances remained.

“On the day I took the pen and signed that document, much was going through my mind, but my conscience was clear. All leaders are in agreement. Coast counties are taking the same stand," Abdullswamad said.

"This is not a conversation about being unfair to people. I want to restore the county to its former state. Respect must endure. The reason we focused on muguka ... research from Port Reitz Hospital, MEWA, Reachout, and other centres shows clearly that muguka is the problem."

The governor further noted that Mombasa is a full consumer, not a seller of the commodity, as there are no farms. Asked what he would tell Embu County leaders, he noted he was answerable to God and Mombasa residents.

Abdullswamad also cited Mombasa's long fight against drugs, saying he was determined to undo the damage.

"They say they will go to court. I urge them to look at the law," he said. "We have more good than bad. We refuse to let the bad take the lead story. We will act our own movie, choosing its direction and production. We will shock them.”

He thanked the county assembly, MPs, and senators who have supported him, saying he received opposition from just one party—a nominated senator—whose views he said he respected.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro. (Photo: Governor's Press Unit)

Mung'aro noted that he toured the grassroots, speaking and listening to residents, whom he said told him one of their biggest concerns surrounded muguka.

“They said it affects them. Our research shows muguka has become worse, maybe because of its price. People steal their mother's clothes to sell and buy muguka. The president is addressing alcohol issues upcountry. Kilifi faces the same issues with muguka. I was in a public meeting in Kaloleni where many residents said they did not want it."