A 10-day activism has been launched to fight against the sale and chewing of muguka in Kilifi county.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya said he will not be intimidated by those who threaten to remove him from the Deputy Majority leader position in the National Assembly.
He spoke during the launch of National 10 Days of Activism Against Muguka at Kibaoni social hall. The launch marks the beginning of several activities and advocacy against the chewing of the stimulant in the county.
Baya said he is pushing for the total ban on the use of muguka because it is a threat to the future of many young people.
“The counties producing this plant are looking at their economic wellbeing without considering our youths. I was elected to defend my people and I will do that without fear. I will make sure we amend the law to illegalise muguka,” the MP said.
The climax of the activism will be the celebration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day is marked on 26 June every year.
“On this day, we will have a big meeting with like-minded leaders of the Coast region. We will come up with a resolution on that day. We must protect our people,” Baya said
The legislator urged leaders from muguka growing regions to give it to their people.
“If they think this stimulant is good, let them give it to their voters. I am willing to buy them the drug for a whole month so they can feed it to their children,” Baya said.
Other leaders from the county have also supported the ban on muguka.
At a separate event, Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa highlighted the detrimental impact of muguka on the youth. She said the goal of nurturing a sober and healthy generation is being undermined by the widespread use of muguka.
Kilifi Woman Representative Getrude Mbeyu said muguka should be eradicated from Kilifi.
A psychologist from Mariakani Subcounty Hospital, Vespas Chenja, urged the youth to cease muguka consumption, pointing out its harmful impact on mental health.
During the launch of activism against muguka, residents attributed the drug to increased youth unproductivity and school dropouts.
The community stood united in their call to eliminate muguka, aiming to foster a more productive and healthier society.
Part of the activities will be to identify areas where muguka is being sold and confiscate it before burning it.
Several women groups and civil society organisations have also organised protests in every subcounty every week to push for the ban.
