Kenya: Ruto’s reversal of muguka ban in coastal region draws criticism

 

President William Ruto has directed that muguka be legalised, reversing the ban that was announced by three leaders from the coastal region of Kenya as part of the fight against drug abuse.

The freshly plucked buds and soft leaves of the crop grown in Embu County in Mount Kenya region, has been linked to rise in drug abuse among Kenya’s young people.

Following a meeting with a group of political leaders on 27 May, Ruto called for further engagements with the three coastal leaders who had banned the stimulant.

“I have directed the ministry of agriculture to convene a forum of all parties and stakeholders concerned,” Ruto told the meeting held in Embu County, which is located in the Mount Kenya region.

The area governor, Cecily Mbarire, who was present at the forum, had earlier challenged the ban in court, describing it as inhuman. She argued that the ban would affect thousands of people in Embu County, which depends on the crop for economic survival. Muguka brings an annual income of KSh22bn to Embu County, Mbarire said.

Peter Njagi, a muguka trader, tells The Africa Report: “This is all I depend on to take care of my children.”

Agriculture Minister Mithika Linturi has since declared the ban by the three governors as ‘null and void’, stating that it is legally recognised as a cash crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.