Isiolo, Garissa leaders call for muguka ban as Muslims mark Eid-ul-Adha

The Isiolo County Government has been asked to regulate the sale and consumption of miraa and muguka in the region due to their detrimental effects on the community.

Muslim faithful Sunday lamented that consumption of the stimulant had ruined the lives of many youths and contributed to poor performance in schools, high dropout and divorce rates.

Led by Sheikh Bilal Ahmed Bilal, the faithful asked the local elected leaders to join hands in reining on the stimulants to protect the youth.

"Young men are abandoning their wives due to indulgence in the chewing of miraa and muguka," he claimed, imploring local youth to shun using the stimulants.

Muslim faithful hold Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Tuluroba on June 16, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

Youth leader Osman Shariff Awkay said the effects of miraa and muguka could not be overstated and that no scientific evidence was required to prove their devastating health effects.

"We all know the health implications of the stimulants and don't need scientific proof to show it has ruined lives and families," Osman said.

Reports show the stimulants contain alkaloids which are categorised as controlled substances.

Sheikh Bilal Ahmed Bilal and youth leader Osman Shariff (left and in white) address journalists after Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Tuluroba on June 16, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

While President Ruto has maintained that the crop is legal in Kenya, top government officials have come out to defend the ban in some of the Coastal counties

The faithful spoke after Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Isiolo Islamic Institute Mosque in Isiolo County.

At the same time in Garissa, the call to ban muguka took centre-stage during speeches as the Muslim faithful marked Eid-ul-Adha prayers at various grounds across the county.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reaffirmed his support for the ban in Northeastern and Coastal counties.

Addressing thousands of Muslims at Rtd General Mohamud Eid grounds, Duale said, he would not relent in his campaign aganist the stimulant which he termed as a dangerous drug that was destroying the future of the youth.

Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joined thousands of Muslims at Rtd General Mohamud Eid grounds for Eid prayers on June 16, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

He called on the governors of Northeastern to follow their counterparts at the Coast and fast-track the ban on muguka trade in Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties.

"Our neighbouring coastal counties have decided to ban muguka and have continued to take a strong stand against the stimulants," Duale said.

He hailed religious leaders for their unrelenting efforts to mobilise local leaders against the muguka trade.

Sheikh Hassan Bashir, an Islamic scholar who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders also emphasised the negative effects of consumption of the stimulant drug.

He said efforts to regulate the muguka trade in Kenya would not be a solution and called on the government to ban it completely.

Garissa Township MP Dekow M Barrow promised to advocate for stronger regulations to combat the sale and consumption of muguka as he joined hundreds of Muslims to mark the Eid prayers at Ebrahim grounds in Bulla Hodhan.

Garissa Township MP Dekow M Barrow at Ebrahim, Bulla Hodhan in Garissa County on June 16, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

Dekow called for united efforts to ensure the stimulant drug was banned.

At Mustaqbal Islamic University in Garissa town, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said consultations were underway together with Muslim clerics, the county assembly and other stakeholders in the county on having a common stand aganist the sale and consumption of muguka.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama joined Muslim faithful at Mustaqbal Islamic University grounds in Garissa County on June 16, 2024. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

"We appreciate the common stand taken by our colleagues in the coastal counties. We will soon come up with a bold decision on the matter," he said.

Nathif hinted that the county was likely to follow suit on banning the trade and consumption of the stimulant plant.

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