Kenya’s President William Ruto has intervened to overturn a controversial ban on muguka, a variety of the stimulant khat or miraa, which had been imposed in certain regions of the country. The ban, enacted by three coastal county governors last week, was met with resistance from areas where muguka cultivation is prevalent.
Muguka, distinguished by its affordability, potency, and addictive properties, is particularly popular in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, and Kwale. Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir of Mombasa had cited concerns over the substance’s harmful effects, especially among youth, as grounds for the ban. Similar directives were issued by governors in Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties, triggering protests among farmers and traders in Embu County, a major muguka-growing region.
President Ruto, asserting the legality of muguka cultivation and distribution under national legislation, convened a meeting with local leaders from Embu to address the issue. He emphasized muguka’s status as a legal crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023, announcing government support with a $3.7 million allocation for expanding khat farming.
While the ban had led to the arrest of more than 10 traders in Mombasa, it garnered support from religious organizations, with Muslim leaders advocating for muguka to be classified as a restricted substance. The National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse has not outrightly banned muguka but has classified it as harmful due to the the stimulants cathinone and cathine present in the plant.
The former chief of the anti-drug abuse agency, John Mututho, highlighted muguka’s potency and its impact on bodily functions. He proposed diversifying agricultural practices, suggesting investment in alternative herbs like rosemary to promote economic prosperity without adverse societal effects.
President Ruto’s decision to overrule the ban underscores the complex socio-economic and public health considerations involved in regulating stimulant substances while balancing the interests of various stakeholders.
