Duale: "If we are fighting alcohol, we must also fight Muguka!"

“If we are fighting alcohol, we must also fight Muguka!” This is a statement made by Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, regarding the ongoing fight against muguka.

Speaking on Sunday, June 2 in Eastleigh, Nairobi, CS Duale emphasised that muguka is a drug that is destroying young people, and therefore supporting the ban placed by some counties on the substance.

According to Duale, the state should not be selective in the overall fight against drugs and substance abuse in the country.

“We must not be selective, if we are fighting alcohol we are fighting Muguka,” Duale said during the opening of the Humanity Growth and Development Agency (HGDA) Waqf Tower 2 in Eastleigh Section 3.

The Cabinet Secretary assured Northeastern residents that he will hold a meeting with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to discuss the adverse effects of muguka in certain regions and communities.

The fight against drug and substance abuse calls for a collective, whole of society approach. As we fight the production, distribution and consumption of illicit brew, with the same emphasis, we must combat other substances, Muguka included. pic.twitter.com/ot31oooWAY
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) June 3, 2024

Mombasa and Kilifi counties have already banned the sale, distribution and use of muguka within their territories. Kwale and Taveta have placed stringent measures against the drug.

Muslim clerics are also calling for Northern Kenya counties to also follow suit and ban muguka and miraa.

“Our region is one of the most affected when it comes to the abuse of this plant (Muguka). Its effects on those who are using it are very visible; some are even developing mental health issues. Many have ended up using a lot of resources on the same,” Garissa SUPKEM Chairman Abdullahi Salat said.

Mandera Governor Adan Khalif also hinted at enforcing a similar ban. “We must say no to Muguka, enough is enough!“

Kenyans are still torn between which party to support following the cries by the muguka farmers, transporters and users, with Embu County moving to court seeking to overturn the said ban.