By Harun Mugambi
The recent bans on Muguka in Kilifi and Mombasa counties have sparked significant controversy, prompting national leaders to step in.
In response to the controversy, President Ruto held a consultative meeting with leaders from the county at Statehouse- Nairobi, during which he committed to allocating Sh500 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year for value addition of scheduled crops like Muguka.
Moreover, the President directed the Ministry of Agriculture to convene a consultative forum with all stakeholders in the Muguka sector to address the concerns raised by counties.
“I’m delighted with the President’s commitment to allocate Sh500m in the 2024/25 FY for value addition of these scheduled crops,” Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi shared on his X account.
The CS said that after a consultative meeting involving the head of state and Embu County leaders, the ban was declared “null and void.”
“I joined President Williams Ruto at State House for a consultative meeting with leaders from Embu County led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, over the Muguka ban by selected counties. I informed the meeting that the purported ban is null and void,” Linturi tweeted.
Linturi emphasized that Muguka, a variety of Miraa, is classified as a scheduled crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023. These laws were passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, with the concurrence of the Council of Governors.
“The laws were passed by the National Assembly and the Senate and in concurrence with the Council of Governors,” he noted.
The ban, enacted by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, aimed to tackle the social, health, and economic impacts of Muguka consumption. However, Linturi’s statements have cast doubt on the legal standing of these county-level prohibitions.
The ongoing debate underscores the tension between county-level governance and national agricultural policies, highlighting the complexities involved in regulating crops with significant local economic and social implications.
As stakeholders prepare for the forthcoming forum, the future of Muguka regulation remains uncertain, with both local and national interests at stake.
