President Ruto engages Coastal Governors on Muguka ban

President Williams Ruto had a phone conversation on Tuesday with the coastal Governors of Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita-Taveta Counties regarding their concerns about the sale of muguka.

Governors Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), and Andrew Mwadime (Taita-Taveta) agreed to participate in a stakeholder meeting convened by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock this week.

This follows a session on Monday between President Ruto and the leadership of Embu County, led by Governor Cecily Mbarire.

“We agreed to convene a meeting of political leaders from the affected counties next week,” explained the President.

During the Monday meeting with Embu leaders, the Head of State reversed a contentious ban on muguka imposed in parts of the country.

Ruto stated that muguka is a legal crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.

“With muguka recognized by national legislation, any other laws or orders that contradict national legislation are null and void,” read a statement from his office.

Additionally, Ruto announced that the government would allocate Ksh 500 million to miraa and muguka farmers in the 2024/25 Financial Year for value addition.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Lucy Njuguna issued a restraining order preventing counties from enforcing the ban on muguka until July 8, 2024.

The ruling temporarily halts the sale, distribution, and use of muguka in the counties that had imposed the ban.

“Pending the inter-parties hearing and determination of this application, a conservatory order is hereby granted restraining the respondents from enforcing Executive Order No. 1 issued on May 22, 2024, until July 8, 2024,” the ruling read in part.

Justice Njuguna ruled that the application must be served upon the respondents within seven days from Tuesday.