Another County, Taita Taveta, Enforces a Total Ban on Muguka
The battle against Muguka, a widely-used stimulant leaf in Kenya, persists as Taita Taveta becomes the third county to prohibit its sale and distribution.
Governor Andrew Mwadime of Taita Taveta announced on Sunday that he’s following suit with other coastal Governors in banning Muguka despite facing resistance from traders.
Governor Mwadime pointed out that Muguka addiction among the county’s youth is leading to decreased productivity and excessive dependency.
Expressing concern for future generations, Mwadime declared a ban on the entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and consumption of Muguka within the county.
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Recent bans by Mombasa and Kilifi governors, Abdulswamad Sherrif and Gideon Mung’aro respectively, have been aimed at curbing the widespread use of the stimulant, even among school children, as highlighted by Nassir’s announcement at Port Reitz Hospital in Mombasa.
However, Embu County, the primary supplier of Muguka, has expressed dissatisfaction with the bans and threatened to challenge them.
An analysis conducted by Gossipa2z.com suggests that these bans could have significant economic and social ramifications, potentially causing substantial losses for farmers and county revenues.
The estimated impact includes a potential monthly loss of up to Ksh1 billion for farmers and a reduction of over Ksh300 million in revenue for both Mombasa and Embu counties, based on the daily delivery of 36,000 kilograms of Muguka to Mombasa at prices ranging from Ksh500 to Ksh1,000 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, Martha Karua, leader of Narc Kenya, has called upon the government to address the regulatory inconsistency between Muguka and Miraa, noting that Kenya recognizes both as legitimate crops.
To differentiate between the two, miraa is characterized by its juicy succulent stem, while Muguka is a short shrub with edible leaves and no stem, predominantly produced in Embu County, and miraa is primarily grown in Meru C
Another County, Taita Taveta, Enforces a Total Ban on Muguka