President William Ruto on Tuesday held a phone conversation with coast governors who imposed a ban on the sale and use of Muguka in their counties.
The President held talks with Governors Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi) and Andrew Mwadime (Taita-Taveta).
Ruto revealed that the leaders agreed to participate in a stakeholders meeting to address the move to ban Muguka in the three counties.
"I have engaged the governors of Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita-Taveta counties on their concerns and challenges in the sale of muguka," Ruto said.
"Governors Nassir (Mombasa), Mungaro (Kilifi) and Mwadime (Taita-Taveta) have agreed to participate in a meeting of all stakeholders to be convened by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock this week as was agreed with the leadership of Embu County on Monday."
The President further added that they agreed to convene a meeting of political leaders of the affected counties next week.
During the Monday meeting with Embu leaders, the President said the ban imposed on muguka in Kilifi and Mombasa counties was null and void.
Ruto added that muguka is a scheduled crop in accordance with the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
The Miraa Regulations 2023 were passed by the National Assembly and the Council of Governors in concurrence of the council of governors.
“With muguka having been recognised by national legislation, any other laws or orders that contradict national legislation is null and void,” Ruto said in a dispatch from State House.
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Lucy Njuguna issued a restraining order to the counties from effecting the ban on Muguka until July 8, 2024.
The two counties banned the sale, distribution and use of muguka.
"That the pending inter parties hearing and determination of this application a conservatory order be and is hereby granted restraining and/or stopping the respondents and or its agents from effecting, implementing and or enforcing Executive Order No. 1 issued on May 22, 2024, by the 1st Respondent and 2nd and 3rd Respondents to last until the 8th July 2024 when the application shall be heard interpreters," the ruling read in part.
Justice Njuguna ruled that the application will be served upon the respondents within seven days from Tuesday.
Mombasa County government was the first to announce the ban on the sale and distribution of muguka.
In an executive order dated May 22, Mombasa Governor Nassir said no motor vehicles carrying the products will be allowed entry into the county.