Governors from the Coastal region, who are part of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Economic Bloc, on Monday June 3, 2024 declined to meet Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi over Muguka ban.

The governors of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu, and Taita Taveta jointly refused Linturi’s proposal in a letter dated June 2, stating that the CS would not serve as an impartial arbiter on the divisive matter.

The governors further stated that Linturi had already expressed his position on the topic and that the meeting would not accomplish its intended goal, alluding to the CS’s prior opinions over muguka ban.

“As the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, you have publicly pronounced yourself on the Constitutional and legal positions taken by Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita County Governors to ban Muguka,” read part of the letter.

“Recognizing Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani as a consuming region with interests in both socio-economic and health security, we respectfully conclude that you are constrained in being an impartial arbiter on this subject.”

After declining Linturi’s request, the governors insisted that they want to hold a meeting with President William Ruto in order to resolve muguka ban issues.

In addition, the governors further argued that important parties be included, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA).

Since the issue was not limited to agriculture, they also suggested that civil society and a number of security agencies should attend the scheduled meeting.

The governors claimed that the selling of muguka in the coastal area had a detrimental effect on their economic, security, and health conditions.

“It is critical that this discussion puts the global picture in perspective,” the governors noted.

The leaders also mentioned that because muguka has a shorter harvest time than miraa, adolescents can easily obtain the drug due to its low cost.

“We request and invite your support towards a consultative meeting with the Head of State to include the Cabinet Secretaries of Health, Internal Security and Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.”