Chaos erupted in Mombasa on Wednesday as Muguka traders clashed with county askaris who blocked lorries ferrying the stimulant to the coastal city.
The county officials attempted to block muguka entry at the Bonje cess collection point in Mombasa while insisting that they be served with a court order that suspended a ban placed on the crop.
Traders became impatient and insisted that they wanted to deliver their goods to the market, prompting a clash.
The county askaris who had used their vehicles to block the road soon after left the area.
“Muguka business should be treated like any other job. This business should be respected,” a trader said.
The High Court sitting in Embu County on Tuesday suspended the ban on Muguka in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
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.
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 Abdullswamad Nassir said no motor vehicles carrying the products will be allowed entry into the county.
On Monday, President William Ruto met with Embu leaders to discuss the ban on muguka.
The President said the ban imposed on muguka in Kilifi and Mombasa counties is null and void.
Ruto added that muguka is a scheduled crop in accordance with the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
