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MP Karemba threatens court redress against Mombasa muguka ban

Lawmaker also urged President Ruto to intervene to protect muguka farmers

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by BENJAMIN NYAGAH

Counties24 May 2024 - 13:25
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In Summary


  • •Karemba said muguka is a cash crop employing Kenyans and there's no better basis to prevent its use and sale.
  • •Muguka is mainly cultivated in Embu with the most occupied part being the lower part of Embu which includes Mbeere North and South and the larger part of the lower Runyenjes constituency.
Muguka leaves at Ena Market in Runyenjes in Embu County.

Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba has ordered his lawyers to proceed to court and seek an order to stop the muguka ban in Mombasa county.

Karemba said muguka is a cash crop employing Kenyans and there's no better basis to prevent its use and sale.

"Today I've spoken to lawyers and requested them to seek a court order to halt the Mombasa County executive order on the ban of muguka," he said.

However, the legislator has urged President William Ruto to intervene on the issue to safeguard muguka traders and farmers.

"We urge our President William Ruto to come to our aid to save the hustlers from facing the wrath of the ban," the MP said.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir gave an executive order dated May 22 barring any use and transportation of the muguka to the county.

While speaking to some muguka farmers in Runyenjes, Embu on Friday, Karemba said it was unlawful to ban muguka anywhere in the country because it's a recognised cash crop in the Kenyan Constitution.

"Muguka is a recognised product in the international market and the governor should know the ban is against the law," he added.

Further, Karemba said the Mombasa County boss should realise there's no big difference between muguka and miraa.

"To ban muguka while miraa is still making its way to the Mombasa market is showing discrimination towards the county of Embu," Karemba alleged.

Muguka is mainly cultivated in Embu with the most occupied part being the lower part of Embu which includes Mbeere North and South and the larger part of the lower Runyenjes constituency.

The lawmaker emphasized the Nacada classification of muguka as a non-drug substance and thus questioned the decision to ban it in Mombasa.

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