Wednesday, May 29, 2024 –Mombasa Government has reaffirmed it’s resolve yo bar Mugukaa trading and consumption in the area.
Addressing questions during his Wednesday May 29 morning show on Spice FM, Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nasir said he resolved to take responsibility as a leader to save young men from further destruction.
The governor while admitting that Mombasa is infested with other heavy drugs like Cocaine, said his hands are tied by the law which does not allow him to inspect cargo coming in through Mombasa Port.
“If I happen to be allowed fully by law to stop Cocaine, believe me I will do anything I can to stop it’s entry. It is not prepared in Kenya. It comes from other countries through the Port,” he stated on the interview.
The first time governor challenged those advocating for the drugs to also feed it to their children.
Days ago, President William Ruto held a day long meeting with stakeholders in Embu where the matter was discussed in depth.
‘I have held a productive meeting with the leaders of Embu County on the recent ban on Mugukaa. We have agreed that Miraa/Mugukaa being a scheduled crop, a meeting be convened to discuss the issue. Consequently, I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture to convene a forum of all parties and stakeholders concerned,” Ruto shared the statement.
According to Governor Nassir, who was also present in the meeting, Mugukaa traders have ignored laws put in place to safeguard children from the drug’s influence, with some even going as far as selling the drug to minors.
“We have tried to come up with regulations so that users and the larger community can co-exist but they have refused refused and for this reason I have consulted legally and found my decree to be in order,” said Nassir.
“I have signed an executive order to ban the entry of Muguka into Mombasa and to ban the sale and consumption of Mugoka into Mombasa.”
The county CEO further highlighted the detrimental effects of Mugukaa consumption on people’s health.
County enforcement officers in Kilifi county on Saturday started enforcing the Executive Order issued Friday by Governor Gideon Mung’aro banning entry, transportation, distribution, sale and use of Mugukaa within the county.
Mung’aro ordered all enforcement officers to ensure the directive is enforced in totality by dint of Executive Order No. 1 of 2024.
“In light of the above order, I therefore, with immediate effect, issue a directive to all the Kilifi County enforcement officers through the Directorate of Enforcement to ensure the order is enforced in totality,” Mung’aro said.
In the neighbouring Kwale County, the county government expressed it’s fear on the ban.