Mandera Governor Ali Ibrahim Roba has called for an urgent ban on Miraa and its variant Muguka, highlighting the adverse effects these substances are having on the youth and the broader socio-economic landscape of Northern Kenya.
Governor Roba’s comments come amid growing concerns over the regional and national implications of Miraa consumption and the government’s perceived support for its cultivation and trade.
“Miraa/Muguka is destroying lives, turning the youth into zombies, and perpetuating poverty in Northern Kenya,” Roba wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He condemned the government’s dual approach to substance control, pointing out the vigorous crackdown on illicit alcohol in the Mt. Kenya region while allegedly encouraging Miraa use in Northern Kenya through financial support for its growth and promotion.
“With 90% of users in Northern Kenya and the Coast, the Government shows little concern,” he said, highlighting the regional disparity in the government’s substance control efforts. The World Health Organization banned Miraa in 1980 due to its harmful active ingredients, cathine and cathinone, which are classified as drugs in many Western countries.
Roba expressed dismay over a proposed Senate bill seeking to amend the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act to exempt cathine and cathinone, effectively legalizing Miraa and Muguka.
“It is disheartening that the state supports its farmers and funds its growth, ignoring consumers’ suffering,” he remarked.
He further criticized President William Ruto for meeting with Miraa farmers and traders, suggesting that the government’s actions favor economic interests over public health concerns.
The governor urged leaders from Northern Kenya to unite in the fight against Miraa, following the example of their counterparts in the coastal regions who have been vocal in their opposition to the drug. “Our leaders must join Coast counterparts to fight this drug, which regrettably has Executive support,” Roba implored.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in Kenya classifies Miraa as a drug, aligning with international perspectives on its harmful effects. The governor’s statement adds to the growing chorus of voices calling for a reevaluation of the government’s stance on Miraa, balancing the economic benefits for farmers against the significant social and health costs borne by users.
