Former Kwale County Speaker Sammy Ruwa has reignited the debate over muguka, advocating for unified legislation across all six coastal counties to address the stimulant.
Kwale County was the first to ban muguka in 2016. In May, Mombasa and Kilifi governors Abdulswamad Nassir and Gideon Mung’aro, respectively, issued executive orders prohibiting the sale, supply, distribution, and consumption of the stimulant, a type of miraa.
Kwale later opted for high taxes rather than a full ban, leading to protests from Meru and Embu counties, the primary sources of muguka. This resulted in a lawsuit, and the High Court in Embu has suspended the ban pending the case’s resolution.
Ruwa emphasized the need for a regional approach through the Jumuiya ya Kaunti Za Pwani (JKP), a bloc of coastal counties. He argued that a unified legislation would be more effective than individual county measures.
Speaking on the Distinguished Leadership Series, Ruwa suggested that the JKP collaborate with the Coast People’s Forum to draft a proposal for the national government.
He also highlighted past disputes over fishing territories among coastal counties and urged legislators to advocate for muguka’s reclassification as a psychotropic drug rather than a cash crop. Ruwa stressed that while coastal counties are restricted from impeding national trade, they have the authority to combat substance abuse.
“The concern is local abuse of muguka, and it’s the governors’ duty to regulate its sale and distribution to protect our communities,” Ruwa said. “Despite opposition from Meru and Embu, our priority remains the well-being of our people.”
