Standoff As 6 Coast Governors Decline Invitation By CS Linturi To Discuss Muguka Ban

• Six coastal governors have declined an invitation from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi on Thursday, June 6
• In a joint statement, the governors said the issue is not entirely about agriculture but includes other matters like health and security
• They said Linturi is not suitable to mediate the process, as he comes with a fixed mind since he comes from the region

Six governors from the coastal region including Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Kwale, have rejected an invitation by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi to discuss and resolve the muguka issue.

In a statement released on Monday, June 3, the governors said they will not attend the meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 6.

"As governors of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za.Pwani bringing together Mombasa, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Kwale, and Lamu, we have jointly resolved to politely decline the invitation to meet with the Hon. Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture on the issue of muguka this Thursday," the Mombasa governor stated.

Why did the governors decline the invitation?

According to the governors, muguka is not only an agriculture issue but also a health and security issue.

"Muguka is simply not an agricultural issue; it is a matter of health, well-being, and, indeed, the security of our people and needs to be treated with the seriousness it deserves," he stated

In a joint statement signed by the six county chiefs, they claim Linturi already has a fixed mind and was unfit to arbitrate the issue.

"According to your statements dated May 29, your ministry's position is one of protecting the socio-economics of the producing counties. Recognising Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani as a consuming region with interests in both socio-economic and health security, we respectfully conclude that you are constrained in being an impartial arbiter on this subject," they stated.

Secondly, the governors said the matter has stirred a national debate, making it a matter of public interest.

"Recognising that the ban of muguka in the Junuiya ya Kaunti region has ignited a national public debate and pronouncement by the executive, judiciary, legislative, and the entire 47 county governments, we conclude that this matter is of extraordinary public interest," they stated.

The leaders also said since the issue attracted sentiments from various leaders across political divide and gotten national attention, the region would prefer to hold talks chaired by the president.

They demanded the inclusion of other stakeholders, including the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), the Ministry of Health, the various security agencies, and the civil society, since the matter is not solely agricultural.

The governors further said the short harvest time of muguka compared to miraa and the cheap cost make the drug easily accessible to minors.

What to know about muguka saga

• President William Ruto overruled the ban of muguka by three counties as unconstitutional as it is scheduled
• William Ruto made a phone call to counties that the produce muguka to deliberate on the ban on muguka
• High Court suspended to the ban temporarily until July 8, until the case is heard and determined

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