Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua has asked the government to address the legality of Miraa and Muguka farming and sale in Kenya.
In a statement on her X account, Karua emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture needs to clarify whether the trading of these two crops is unlawful in the country.
This call to action follows the ban on the sale and use of Muguka and its products in three countries including Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta Counties.
Karua further cited that crop regulations 2021 acknowledge Muguka and Miraa as legal products and asked the government to resolve the contradictions brought about by the ban.
“In the matter of Muguka ban in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties, what is the position of @KilimoKE (Ministry of Agriculture) in view of the Crop (Miraa) Regulations 2021 which recognizes both Miraa and Muguka as legitimate, there is an urgent need to resolve this contradiction,” Karua posted on her X account.
Karua Responds to Ban on the Sale and Use of Muguka
Furthermore, she said leaders must discuss openly for a win-win situation and the talks must also encompass the war on hard drugs across the country.
“Let’s have an open discussion in search of a win-win situation while also accelerating the war on hard drugs which are a menace not only at the coast but now country wide,” she added.
Also Read: Embu Governor Reveals Next Step After Two Counties Banned Muguka Sale
Her remarks came after Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, ordered a total prohibition on the entry, transportation, distribution, sale and use of muguka and its products in the County.
In the executive order dated May 22, all outlets, whether in the form of retail or wholesale were banned from selling and distributing the product within the county.
Nassir argued that scientific evidence has unequivocally established that muguka consumption causes mental health disease and disability, leads to devastating health, social, economic, and environmental consequences.
The Governor stated that Meru and Embu farmers sell the product to Mombasa County, placing burdens on minors, families, the poor, and the County health system, rather than to their own children.
Muguka Farmers Decry Trade Sabotage
Following the ban by Abdulswamad Nassir and his Kilifi counterpart Gideon Mung’aro, farmers and leaders from Embu County protested the move terming it as trade sabotage that will lead to job losses and a looming collapse of livelihoods in the region.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire on Friday also threatened to take legal action to protect the livelihoods of her community which she said pockets about Ksh.22 billion per year from the sale of muguka.
Also Read: Muguka Farmers & Traders Make Appeal to Govt After Hundreds Lose Jobs
Mbarire argued that muguka is a variety of Miraa by taste, product and active ingredient which is still cathinone.
“The scheduled crop is Catha edulis which represents all varieties of Miraa which includes muguka and any other crop that may emerge and contains Catha edulis,” she stated.
She asserted that there is no law separating miraa from muguka or prohibiting its sale or consumption, and therefore, the bans imposed by Mombasa and Kilifi are unjustified.
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