Mombasa’s crackdown on the popular Muguka variety of miraa has sparked outrage among leaders in Embu County, where the cash crop is a vital economic lifeline.
In an executive order issued on May 24th, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir prohibited the entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and use of Muguka and its products within the county’s borders.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Embu’s political elite, who argue that the ban unfairly targets a legitimate agricultural product and threatens the livelihoods of thousands involved in the Muguka trade.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire swiftly condemned the decision, asserting that “there is no law separating miraa from Muguka, and no single law prohibiting its sale or consumption.”
In a press release, Mbarire emphasized the crop’s economic significance, stating, “The Muguka value chain is estimated to contribute approximately KES 22 billion per year to the economy of Embu.” She further noted that the ban could devastate farmers and other stakeholders who have heavily invested in the Muguka trade.
The botanical name for miraa is Catha edulis, and Muguka, a variety distinguished by its taste and higher cathinone levels, falls under the same classification. Mbarire clarified, “The scheduled crop is Catha edulis that represents all varieties of Miraa which includes Muguka and any other crop that may emerge and contains Catha edulis.”
Joining the chorus of dissent, Mbeere South MP Nebert Muriuki announced that he is collaborating with other leaders to seek a court order to overturn the ban in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. “I am also in conversation with Governor Cecily Mbarire, the Deputy President H.E Rigathi Gachagua, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the President H.E William Samoei Ruto to seek a permanent solution on this unfair ban on our cash crop by the name Muguka,” Muriuki stated.
Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Rukus echoed the sentiment, questioning the rationale behind banning one variety while allowing others. “The chemical composition of Miraa is the same as that of Muguka. Banning one and leaving the other does not make sense,” Rukus asserted, hinting at potential ulterior motives behind the move.
Governor Mbarire has urged farmers and stakeholders to remain calm as the county explores avenues to resolve the stalemate, underscoring the high stakes involved in protecting a vital economic sector.
With the Muguka trade deeply intertwined with the livelihoods of Embu residents, the clash between the county and Mombasa’s authorities promises to be a complex legal and political battle, one that could have far-reaching implications for the region’s agricultural and economic landscape.
