President William Ruto has asserted that the ban enforced on muguka in Kilifi and Mombasa counties holds no legal weight.
Ruto highlighted that muguka is a designated crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
These regulations were ratified by both the National Assembly and the Council of Governors.
“Given the recognition of muguka by national legislation, any conflicting laws or directives are invalid,” stated Ruto, as conveyed from State House.
Ruto emphasized that these regulations, having parliamentary approval, mandate the government to allocate resources for various aspects of muguka cultivation, licensing, promotion, regulation, transportation, aggregation, sale, marketing, and export.
These remarks were made following a meeting with leaders from Embu County, including Governor Cecily Mbarire, MPs, and all MCAs. Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi was also in attendance.
The ban on the sale and distribution of muguka was initially announced by the Mombasa county government.
In an executive order dated May 22, Nassir decreed that no motor vehicles carrying muguka products would be permitted entry into Mombasa.
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“The county departments are instructed to enforce this order without exception,” the directive stated.
The county chief had earlier prohibited miraa and muguka businesses near schools, expressing concern over exposing school-going children to muguka’s affordability and its potential impact on their well-being.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro of Kilifi also imposed a ban on these products in his county, citing concerns about their detrimental effects on children, labeling it a menace to the younger generation.
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