Kilifi County Bans Sale, Distribution Of Muguka And Products: "Inaharibu Watoto Wetu"

• Governor Gideon Mung'aro has declared that no muguka would be distributed or sold in Kilifi county going forward
• The county boss observed that the stimulant was responsible for the erratic behaviours seen among the youths
• Kilifi joins Mombasa, whose governor declared the same ban on Thursday, May 24, citing the listing of the khat among prohibited drugs by NACADA

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kilifi county government has joined Mombasa in prohibiting the sale and circulation of muguka and its products.

Governor Gideon Mung'aro announced the decision on Friday, May 24.

Why Kilifi county banned muguka

Speaking to the press, the county boss noted that the type of khat was to blame for the perverse behaviours witnessed among the youths in Kilifi.

He observed that the stimulant was also being abused by minors aged between 5 and 6 years, adding that the resolve to ban it was after a uniform petition by the county locals.

"We have learnt that even minors under 6 years of age are using muguka. We therefore ban the entry, transportation, distribution, sale and abuse of muguka and all the products that come out of it," said Mung'aro.

Mung'aro further noted that muguka had been red-listed by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).

"It is not among the things legalised for sale. It is dangerous for our children and is putting them in danger, and we now say we don't want it," said Mung'aro.

The move by the governor came a day after the same action was undertaken by his Mombasa counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir, who pointed to findings by stakeholders, including doctors, confirming muguka had caused damage among the youths and children.

The Mombasa governor added that the ban was based on legal counsel.

Unlike miraa, whose twigs consumers chew, muguka's leaves are consumed.

The move by the two counties could be economically detrimental to traders who were earning handsomely from the sales.

Drop in prices of Miraa

Meanwhile, Miraa farmers in Kenya recently took to the streets to protest the drop in the price of the stimulant.

Farmers in Meru county, a major miraa-growing region, attributed the price decline to cartels they claim were distorting the market.

The farmers contended the cartels were taking advantage of their laborious efforts, leaving them counting losses.

James Kailemia, one of the farmers, told TUKO.co.ke that brokers, commonly referred to as middlemen, bought the produce at KSh 6,000 per kilogramme and sold it at double the price.

News sources indicated the prices per sack had dropped from KSh 180,000 to KSh 80,000.

Following the plunge, the farmers threatened to demonstrate at President William Ruto's office as they pleaded with the government to intervene.

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