
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir has reiterated his stand of banning Muguka and khat (Miraa) business around learning institutions and houses of worship.
Nassir says the move has been triggered by the fact that such business activities are exposing young children to drug dependence as young people in Mombasa are already consuming Muguka leaves and other stimulants following their availability in school environments.
Speaking recently in Mombasa, Nassir said the county government has noted with great concerns how the young generation has turned into using Muguka leaves, an addiction that in most cases culminates with the youth taking hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.
He ordered the County Inspectorate to launch an operation aimed at curtailing Muguka trading activities around school environment.
“We do not take lightly the state of education and behavioural changes among our children. We will not stay mum as our children are being immersed into Muguka dependency. We will destroy any business establishment around schools that is selling Muguka,” reiterated the Governor.
He said the efforts will escalate to churches and mosques, Nassir terming the Muguka trade around houses of worship as a total shame to the county.
“If you want to engage in Muguka business please go do it elsewhere and sell the drug to elder people not to the minors in school. We will not allow that,” said Nassir.
Pain
The Mombasa governor however, expressed his concerns over how already young people are immersed into drugs. He said he is working on rehabilitation strategy to disentangle the young adults from drug dependency syndrome.
Nassir’s sentiments come amid heated debate over the Muguka trade within Mombasa county.
According to Muguka traders, the county government is intending to flash them out of the business by hiking the Muguka business levies.
In a recent protest at the largest open air market—Kongowea market in Mombasa, the traders claimed that they have been solely depend on the Muguka business to feed their families and take their children to school.
However, the Mombasa County Chief did not issue any statement concerning the levies, though the county government hiked the charges from Ksh.24,000 to 80,000 annually per Muguka lorry transporting the consignment into Mombasa county.
Recently the vehicles were blocked at the Miritini cess point, triggering protests among Muguka transporters and traders.
The issue remains unresolved even as Shanzu Ward MCA Allan Katana aims at tabling a Bill at the Mombasa County Assembly to totally ban Muguka trade and consumption in Mombasa.