Some coastal counties have imposed bans on the sale of muguka, calling for its classification as a narcotic.
However, a more pragmatic approach would be to introduce harsh tariffs rather than an outright ban.
Muguka is a crucial economic crop, generating over Sh13.1 billion annually and providing livelihoods for approximately 1.4 million people nationally, according to governors from the counties where it is grown – Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi.
An outright ban would devastate the economies of these regions, leading to significant job losses and economic instability.
Introducing harsh tariffs, as suggested in the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023, provides a balanced solution.
These tariffs can help control consumption by increasing the cost, thus addressing concerns about its misuse, while still allowing farmers to earn a living.
The regulations can further be amended to ban sale to minors. Muguka markets should also be restricted to certain hours. Alcohol is, for instance, only sold legally from 3pm to 11pm.
The quantity of muguka that can be legally sold to consumers should also be raised to make it more expensive.
This approach respects the economic significance of the crop and acknowledges the health concerns associated with its consumption.
A ban risks pushing the trade underground, making it harder to regulate and potentially exacerbating the issues it aims to solve.
Harsh tariffs provide a middle ground, balancing economic interests with public health and safety concerns.
Quote of the Day: “Live or die, but don't poison everything.”
Saul Bellow
The Canadian–American writer and Nobel laureate was born on June 10, 1915
