Ruto Moves to Resolve Mugukaa Standoff

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Tuesday, May 28, 2024 –National Government has jumped in to mediate between Mugukaa traders and county governments.

President William Ruto, Monday May 27, presided over a stakeholder meeting in Embu County to discuss the impasse so that to find an amicable solution.

In his statement to the media, Ruto noted that, as of now, Mugukaa remains a scheduled crop and only a bipartisan discussion can resolve the current standoff.

“I have held a productive meeting with the leaders of Embu County on the recent ban on Muguka. We have agreed that Miraa/Muguka being a scheduled crop, a meeting be convened to discuss the issue. Consequently, I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture to convene a forum of all parties and stakeholders concerned,” Ruto shared in his statement.

This meeting having been triggered by the move by two Coastal counties which, last week, announced the ban on Mugukaa.

Mombasa County under the leadership of Governor Abdulswamda Shariff Nasir led the pack in demolishing the business which he termed as harmful to the communities in his area.

According to Governor Nassir, Mugukaa traders have ignored laws put in place to safeguard children from the drug’s influence, with some even going as far as selling the drug to minors in the area.

“We have tried to come up with regulations so that users and the larger community can co-exist but they have refused and for this reason I have consulted legally and found my decree to be in order,” said Nassir.

“I have signed an executive order to ban the entry of Mugukaa into Mombasa and to ban the sale and consumption of Mugokaa into Mombasa.”

Nassir further highlighted the detrimental effects of Mugukaa consumption on people’s health not only in his county but across the country.

And on Saturday, county enforcement officers in Kilifi County started enforcing the same Executive Order issued Friday by their governor, Gideon Mung’aro, banning the Mugukaa entry, transportation, distribution and sale.

Governor Mung’aro ordered all enforcement officers to ensure the directive is enforced in totality as per the Executive Order No. 1 of 2024.

“In light of the above order, I therefore, with immediate effect, issue a directive to all the Kilifi County enforcement officers through the Directorate of Enforcement to ensure the order is enforced in totality,” Mung’aro said.

Miraa and Mugukaa is substance consumed by young men mostly in Meru and Mombasa areas. It is associated with idlers and truck drivers who claim that it keeps them alert on the road.