Kilifi Governor signs executive order banning Muguka

Kilifi  Governor Gideon Mung’aro has issued an executive order banning the transportation, distribution, sale, and use of Muguka within Killifi County.

The county boss has consequently directed County enforcement officers through the Directorate of Enforcement to ensure the order is enforced immediately and in totality.

He further warns that any officer found colluding with culprits will face the law and all the disciplinary actions there are.

The drastic move was expected after the governor in March vowed to ban Muguka consumption in the county, citing its detrimental effects.

He regretted that the consumption of the substance had negatively impacted youth in the region.

“We have no problem as a county when people bring and sell Miraa, but in Kilifi County, I will ban Muguka! Come rain, come sunshine,” he said.

Following the Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 signed on Friday, all outlets selling and distributing Muguka and its products within the County will be closed immediately.

Additionally, motor vehicles transporting Muguka will not be allowed into the coastal county.

“The county departments and their agencies are directed to enforce this order without exception” directed the governor.

Munga’ro is following in the footsteps of his Mombasa counterpart Abdulswammad Nassir who banned the commodity on Thursday.

Speaking at the Port Reitz hospital after signing the executive order, Governor Nassir said Muguka is the leading cause of addiction in the region.

He said many young people will continue wasting away if such drastic steps are not taken.

Nassir reiterated that the stimulant a variant of khat is a ticking time bomb that has caused harm to young people and rehabilitation centres in the coastal city have recorded a surge of patients, exhibiting psychotic symptoms.

He, however, said the County Government will offer free rehabilitation and treatment to those addicted at various health facilities in the county.