Muguka farmers in Embu County on Saturday May 25, 2024 held protests against the ban on muguka trade in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties.
The Embu County muguka farmers, along with traders and brokers, gathered at Ena Kutherema Muguka Sacco offices in Runyenjes to protest the ban on muguka trade in Mombasa and Kilifi.
They argued that the ban would lead to significant job losses and demanded a reversal of the decision.
“Many families rely on the business for survival. The ban will badly affect them,” they said.
Meanwhile, protesting farmers emphasized that muguka is a government-recognized cash crop, disputing any assertions that it is a drug.
During the protests, Embu Women Representative Pamela Njoki Njeru, Deputy Governor Justus Kinyua Mugo, and Kagaari South MCA Susan Wariru were present.
The protests happened following Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s directive on Thursday May 23, which banned the trade and use of khat, commonly referred to as muguka, in the county.
The governor announced the ban at Port Reitz Hospital in Mombasa, mentioning the widespread use of the stimulant drug khat, especially among the Coast region residents, including school children.
He mentioned that muguka traders have disregarded regulations meant to protect children from the drug’s impact, with some even selling it to minors.
Following this, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro also enacted a ban on muguka prohibiting it’s entry, transportation, distribution, sale and use. He also directed that vehicles transporting the product would not be permitted entry into the county starting Friday May 24.
Mung’aro instructed various agencies to take action and implement the ban, cautioning that any officer cooperating with offenders would be held accountable.
Furthermore, the Embu County Governor expressed her intentions to contest the ban in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties through legal means.
Mbarire vowed to defend her community’s income of approximately Ksh.22billion annually from muguka sales by pursuing legal measures.
She urged muguka farmers to stay composed as her government addresses the issue.
However, the Mombasa and Kilifi governors stood firm against what they considered threats, prioritizing the well-being of their constituents.
