Six governors from Kenya’s coastal region have jointly declined to participate in proposed consultations on the miraa/muguka industry, escalating tensions over the controversial crop’s cultivation and consumption.
In a letter to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani economic bloc accused the minister of bias, citing his public statements supporting the socio-economic interests of miraa-producing counties.
“Recognizing Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani as a consuming region with interests on both socio-economic and health security, we respectfully conclude that you are constrained in being an impartial arbiter on this subject,” the letter stated.
The governors of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu, and Taita Taveta counties argue the miraa debate has become an issue of “extraordinary public interest” requiring the head of state’s involvement. They want President William Ruto to lead further consultations alongside key stakeholders like the health ministry and drug control agencies.
“As Consumer Counties, we are negatively affected by the sale of Miraa/Muguka in terms of Health, Security as well as Economically,” the letter read, citing concerns over the psychotropic effects of cathine and cathinone, the active ingredients in the stimulant crops.
The objections escalate a standoff that began last month when Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta banned muguka cultivation and trade within their jurisdictions, citing public health risks. The prohibitions triggered protests in producing regions like Embu.
Linturi, whose docket covers crop policies, has sided with pro-miraa/muguka interests, setting up the clash with the coastal bloc over prohibition versus regulation of the cash crops.
