Aden Duale Throws Shade At Gachagua Over Muguka Ban, Asks Him To Act: "No Double Standards"

• Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Muguka is destroying many young people in North Eastern
• Duale also called out Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for showing double standards in fighting the ban on Muguka
• He said the fight against substance abuse should be made national and not confined to specific regions in the country

Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called out Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over alleged double standards in fighting substance abuse.

Speaking in Garissa on Sunday, June 2, Duale said Rigathi was fighting substance abuse in Central and Rift Valley through a leaders conference.

According to him, the fight should be done across all counties, just as it has been sharply campaigned for in the two areas.

"The war against drug abuse, the Deputy president did a leaders conference in central and Rift Valley fighting drug abuse; the meeting included religious leaders. The government said it would fight substance abuse. Fighting substance abuse must be done across all regions," Duale said.

What did Duale say about Muguka?

Duale, in joining the contentious topic on Muguka, said a section of Kenyans believe Muguka is a substance of abuse and has destroyed youths in the country.

He urged that the fight should not be selective and Muguka should be fought like alcohol and other substances are being fought.

"There are many Kenyans who believe Muguka is a substance abused, and it has destroyed many young people. We cannot be selective; if we fight alcohol, we must fight Muguka; Kenya is one. We must fight Muguka," he added.

Duale said he would convene a leaders conference in North Eastern with Rigathi to show the dangers of Muguka as he reinforced a general fight against the menace.

Kilifi and Taita Taveta ban Muguka sales in the county

Days after Mombasa governor Abdullswamad Nassir imposed a ban on the sale and distribution of Muguka in the county, Taita Taveta and Kilifi followed suit and banned entry of Muguka into their territories.

However, their ban was short-lived. After President William Ruto met with the governors from the counties that produce Muguka, he overruled the ban as null and void.

What to know about the Muguka saga

• The High Court temporarily suspended the ban on the sale and distribution of Muguka until the case is heard on July 8
• William Ruto made a phone call to the three governors who had banned Muguka to mediate their action
• Mombasa residents welcomed in dance and songs a truck loaded with Muguka in the county after its release by county officials

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke