2 pick-ups seized while sneaking muguka into Kwale County

Two pick-ups loaded with muguka were seized in Kinango on Sunday as their drivers tried to sneak into Kwale County without paying the hefty tax imposed by the county to control trade and use of the stimulant.

In its Finance Bill 2024-2025, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani's administration imposes stringent measures to regulate the sale and consumption of muguka and miraa, taking steps such as increasing the tax per lorry transporting muguka into the county from Sh10,000 to Sh300,000.

According to the county, the two pick-ups were seized in the morning by county inspectorate officers, on their way from Mariakani.

Nicky Gitonga, the communication director in the Office of the Governor, said the drivers of the vehicles were taken to the Kinango Police Station and would be arraigned on Monday.

"The bill has already been signed into law. From Monday, anybody caught eating muguka on public transport will be persecuted. Traders will be assigned specific places to pick up and sell muguka," Gitonga said, adding that schools, markets, and worship centres were out of bounds.

Kwale Police Commissioner Stephen Orinde said security would be heightened at all entry points to prevent the illegal transportation of muguka.

"All these measures are to ensure young children have no access to the stimulant so they can focus on their education," he said, noting that some join gangs to make money to support their addictions.

County inspectorate officers seize a lorry in Kinango on June 9, 2024, which was found transporting illegally muguka into Kwale County. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Kwale is among the hotspot counties for muguka consumption, hence the controls aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the crop's widespread availability.

Achani's government tightened rules around the stimulants as a debate raged on, following a ban by Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta counties. Heavy criticism followed, especially from growers and traders.

Under the new law, every shipment of muguka and miraa entering Kwale County will be subjected to taxation, with significant increases in fees for both sellers and importers.

Resident sellers of miraa and muguka now face a hefty fee of Sh50,000 to continue their trade, a considerable jump from the previous Sh10,000.

"Importers, transporting muguka via lorries or motorcycles will also bear the brunt of increased taxes, with fees rising from Sh3,000 to Sh30,000 for motorcycle transport and Sh300,000 for lorry shipments weighing 15 tonnes," stated the gazetted notice from the county.

County inspectorate officers seize a lorry in Kinango on June 9, 2024, which was found transporting illegally muguka into Kwale County. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Governor Achani emphasised that these measures are crucial for regulating substance consumption and protecting the youth.

County enforcement authorities, in collaboration with the County Assembly and County Attorney Salim Gombeni, are set to implement additional regulations to further restrict the sale and distribution of muguka and miraa.

"The regulations will prohibit the sale of muguka in sensitive areas such as school peripheries, religious spaces, and local markets. Instead, designated areas will be established for the trade, with specific pickup points designated for muguka arrivals, particularly from source regions like Embu and Meru counties," she said.

The comprehensive approach aims to minimise the accessibility of these substances to young people, thereby safeguarding their well-being and promoting a healthier community.