Political Leaders in Embu on Saturday, May 25, led muguka farmers, traders, and transporters in protesting against muguka ban by Mombasa and Kilifi Counties.
Embu County’s Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo, Embu Women Representative Pamela Njoki Njeru, and Kagaari South MCA Susan Wariru were part of the protest.
The protestors, who gathered at Runyenjes, said the move by the two counties, which are some of the biggest consumers of muguka, would lead to massive job losses.
The Embu political leaders maintained that muguka is not a drug and that it is a popular variety of miraa across the country because it is affordable.
Last week, Mombasa and Kilifi County governors, on various dates, banned the sale and distribution of muguka.
They claimed the stimulant is destroying livelihoods due to its unregulated usage as well as affordability.
Shortly afterwards, Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire said the county would be moving to court to oppose the ban because it would deny her constituents a source of livelihood.
In a statement on Friday, May 24, Mbarire stated in part: “There is no law separating Miraa from Muguka and no single law prohibiting its sale or consumption,”
She added that muguka is a variety of miraa by taste, product, and active ingredient, which is Cathinone/Cathine.
The statement further explained that, scientifically, the botanical name for miraa is Catha edulis and the active ingredient is also Cathine/Cathinone.
Mbarire expressed shock, specifically the ban by the Mombasa governor, which came a few days after she had met with him over the same on May 15, 2024.
In the meeting, she said, they established a joint working team to ensure compliance with the product’s trade regulations and address the issues raised by the Mombasa County Government.
Further, the two governors discussed they would both benefit from the trade of the cash crop which Embu County is the largest producer.
They also enforced measures aimed at maximising what comes with the trade of muguka.
It now remains to be seen how the matter will play out in the coming days, considering muguka is Embu County’s main cash crop.
