In Summary
- President Ruto allocated Ksh500 million for Muguka farming in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.
- The government is committed to implement the Miraa/Mũguka Regulations 2023 and enhance crop value addition.
- Embu farmers are concerned about local bans on Muguka affecting their livelihoods.
President Ruto announced that Muguka is officially recognized as a scheduled crop
He say Ksh500 million is allocated for its farming in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.
After meeting with Embu County leaders regarding the recent ban on Muguka, he confirmed the crop’s status.
He also emphasized the need for a consultative forum to address the issue.
“I have had a productive meeting with Embu County leaders on the recent ban on Muguka.We have agreed that as a scheduled crop, a meeting will be convened to discuss the issue,” Ruto stated.
He directed the Ministry of Agriculture to organize a forum with all concerned parties and stakeholders.
Consultative Meetings to Address Miraa/Mũguka Regulations 2023
These consultative meetings aim to reach an agreement on implementing the Miraa/Mũguka Regulations 2023.
A statement from State House emphasized the government’s commitment to the future of Miraa through enhancing farming, aggregation, grading, pricing, packaging, and value addition.
The government has committed Ksh500 million in the 2024/25 Financial Year for the value addition mirra.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi confirmed that Muguka is a scheduled .
It hs regulations passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate.
The meeting concluded that any laws, including the ban, contradicting national legislation are null and void.
Local Bans Raise Concerns Among Farmers
On Monday, farmers in Embu, a region known for Miraa cultivation, expressed concerns that the bans in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta counties were harming their livelihoods.
They argued that Muguka is not a hard drug and that its consumers ,not adversely affected compared to marijuana or alcohol users.
Last Thursday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir banned the entry, distribution, sale, and use of Muguka and its products within the county.
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He cited public complaints that the youth were wasting their lives away.
This decision made was in consultation with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA). Following Mombasa’s lead, Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties also issued bans on Muguka.
The government’s stance and the allocation of significant funds indicate a push towards the formalization and enhancement of Muguka farming, despite the local bans implemented in various counties.
The upcoming consultative meetings are to provide a resolution aligning with national legislation and the needs of Muguka farmers.
