Mombasa: Angry Traders Confront County Officers After Blocking Entry Of Muguka

• President William Ruto had declared the ban of muguka on counties in the coastal region as null and void
• On Wednesday, May 29, Mombasa county officials blocked the roads using their vehicles, thus preventing muguka's entry into the region
• This move triggered the anger of muguka traders, who confronted the officials, causing a fight between them

Angry traders fought with county officers at Bonje Cess collection point after lorries ferrying muguka were denied entry into Mombasa county.

How did the Mombasa fight begin?

In the video, county officers blocked trucks ferrying sacks of muguka into the county by positioning county vehicles across the road.

This incident triggered the anger of traders, who filled the streets and began arguing with county officers, questioning their actions.

When the traders failed to reach a mutual understanding with the officers, they began fighting with them.

The County Traffic Unit arrived at the scene and tried to calm down two groups in order to prevent the situation from escalating.

High Court suspends the ban on the sale of Muguka in Mombasa

Earlier, on Tuesday, May 28, the High Court in Embu suspended the ban imposed on muguka by the Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties.

Justice Lucy Njuguna said the court was satisfied with the suit by the Embu County Assembly and the Kutheremeka Muguka Sacco Society Limited.

She suspended the ban until July 8, when the matter will be fully heard and determined in court.

Why Ruto termed the move to ban muguka as null and void

Prior to the court ruling, President William Ruto faulted the coastal region over its move to ban the stimulant.

The president sided with Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi who explained that muguka is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.

Ruto, therefore, termed the move by the counties null and void as it contravened national laws. The president revealed his government would allocate KSh 500 million towards the growth and development of muguka and miraa crops.

Governor Gideon Mung'aro of Kilifi announced the decision to ban muguka on Friday, May 24, a day after Mombasa declared it illegal in the county.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke