- The governors want President Ruto to lead any further consultations on the Muguka ban.
- They accused the Ministry of Agriculture of protecting the socio-economics of Muguka-producing counties at the expense of the health of coastal residents.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
Six governors from Coast counties have declined to meet Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi to discuss the Muguka ban.
President William Ruto ordered Linturi to convene a meeting with stakeholders and address concerns raised on the sale and use of the addictive stumulant which Coast governors have banned.
The meeting between stakeholders and Linturi was scheduled for June 6, 2024.
"We regret to inform you that the six-member County Governments of Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Economic Bloc duly represented by the undersigned Governors, jointly decline to attend the proposed forum scheduled for June 6, 2024," the governors said in a joint communique.
The joint release dispatched Monday evening was signed by all six governors.
They are Mombasa's Abdulswamad Nassir, Kilifi's Gideon Mung'aro, Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Dhadho Godhana (Tana River), Issa Timamy (Lamu) and Taita Taveta's Andrew Mwadime.
The county bosses have banned the sale, distribution and use of Muguka in their respective counties.
In a statement on social media moments after their resolution, Nassir said their unwavering resolve is premised on health concerns of their people.
"Muguka is not simply an agricultural issue; it is a matter of the health, wellbeing and indeed, the security of our people and needs to be treated with the seriousness it deserves," he said.
In his meeting with Embu leaders on May 27, Ruto dismissed the ban of the plant by the Coast counties saying Muguka is a scheduled crop in accordance with the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
He said 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.
“To address concerns of all parties and stakeholders, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is directed to convene a consultative forum to address concerns raised and agree on the implementation of the Miraa/Muguka Regulations 2023,” the president ordered.
A day later, Ruto revealed that he held a phone conversation with Nassir, Mung’aro and Mwadime who all agreed to attend the stakeholder meeting.
However, the Coast governors accused the Ministry of Agriculture of protecting the socio-economics of muguka-producing counties.
The governors want the President to, instead, lead any further consultations on the ban.
They pointed out that Ruto held meetings with the leadership of Muguka producing counties and Central Kenya leadership prior to issuing the directive at State House.
"Whereas various Cabinet Secretaries and senior National Government officers have made conflicting statements as to the position of the Executive; therefore, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani concludes and requests, that further consultations on this matter be led by the Head of State," they said.
The governors want key stakeholders including the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada), the Ministry of Health and the various Security agencies as well as the Civil Society to be party to the consultations.
The governors decried the effects of Miraa and Muguka in their counties saying residents are negatively affected in terms of health, security and the economy.
"It is critical that this discussion puts the global picture in perspective. Cathine and Cathinone, the active ingredients present in both crops, are prohibited under the current Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 1994," the governors said.
They said Nacada classifies Miraa as a psychotropic substance because of these active ingredients.
They added that Cathine and Cathinone are banned substances in several countries including Tanzania, Uganda, China, Europe, United States, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Canada due to the harmful effects of the substances.
The governors said that scientific research by a number of organisations found that 550 patients out of 700 (or 82 per cent) living with mental health conditions in the current financial year were found to be abusing Muguka.
They said the study was conducted by Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Mental Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, ReachOut Rehabilitation Center, Port Reitz Hospital and the Nacada Rehabilitation Centre from 2021 to 2024.
"This trend is replicated across all coastal counties and gives us as leaders, just cause for concern for the wellbeing of our people," the county bosses said.
They said the study further indicate that owing to the relatively short harvest time of Muguka compared to Miraa, the cheap cost makes the drug easily accessible to minors.