In Summary

• President William Ruto had directed immediate lifting of the ban.
• Coastal region governors also rejected similar invite by the CS.

Coastal region members of parliament have turned down the invite by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi to discuss on Muguka business in the region.

The MPs affirm that they will not be subjected to a substance that is killing their generation. They have maintained that Muguka is illegal and harmful.

According to the lawmakers process to have total ban of Muguka is underway and that they will use everything possible to frustrate Muguka business in the coastal region.

“Humbly and respectfully we decline the invitation on the basis that we view muguka as an illicit drug as provided in The Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994 and not as a cash crop under the Crops Act,” they said.

The MPs says they acted with firm and clear instructions from their constituents.

“We are unable to sit at the same table and negotiate with people who are hell-bent on pushing the continuous consumption of a substance that is destroying people at the Coast of Kenya under the guise of an Agricultural crop,” they said.

Linturi Plea

“In this regard, His Excellency the President directed my Ministry to convene stakeholder engagements as mandated, to address the concerns raised by the various entities involving the respective counties, local leadership, farmers and dealers and come up with a way forward,” Linturi said.

“The purpose of this letter is to invite you for a consultative meeting to be held on June 6, 2024, at Maanzoni Lodge, Machakos starting at 9am.  You can be accompanied by the relevant County Executive Committee Member/Technical Officer,” Linturi added.