Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir has reiterated that the ban on Muguka in Mombasa is irreversible.
The County Chief noted that his Executive Order on the ban of Muguka in the county was triggered by the increased mental related challenges among Mombasa residents and that nothing will destruct him from enforcing the ban.
Speaking in Mombasa on Saturday, amid protests in Embu county, the major grower of Muguka, Nassir said that research has revealed grave results that Muguka is simply a drug that affects any user.
He noted that in various mental health institutions in the county, many youth are grappling with the effects of the drug including minors.
“I am not doing this so as to punish other counties that are eking billions out of Muguka trade. Its effects are huge on the health being of Mombasa residents and the drug remains banned in our county,” he noted.
Recently, Nassir revealed figures from the Portreitz Sub county hospital that showed out of 70 patients with mental health related challenges, 45 were as a result of Muguka consumption.
Kilifi
Immediately after the ban, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro also banned the entry, sale and consumption of Muguka in Kilifi the county.
Mung’aro said Kilifi county will not allow any Muguka business or consumption, urging the Inspectorate department of the county government to nab anyone transporting, consuming or distributing Muguka in the county.
“Through Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, I ban the entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and use of Muguka within Kilifi County. That there be a total prohibition on the entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and use of Muguka and its products within Kilifi County” Mung’aro reiterated.
Backed
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Mombasa residents held a peaceful procession supporting the ban of Muguka in the county.
Led by Reachout Centre Trust Executive Director Taib Abdulrahman, the locals said Muguka has sent the productive population in Mombasa (18-45) into sleepwalkers who can no longer engage in productive and development activities in the region.
The anti-drug activist said from the research conducted, Muguka consumption slowly lead the users into hard drugs among them heroin and cocaine.
“We fully support the Governors’ move to halt Muguka entry, distribution and consumption in Mombasa county. It has affected our youth and sadly, the school going children too,” noted Mr Taib.
Tussle
Embu governor, Cecil Mbarire has vowed to challenge the ban in court.
However, lawyer Charles Kanjama says that though Nassir is envisioned to protect his people, he would have petitioned the National Assembly first to facilitate further laboratory research and tests to asserts the effects of Muguka on consumers if any.
[Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir. He banned Muguka in Mombasa County. Photo/Ali Said/May, 25, 24].
In an interview on Citizen TV on Saturday evening, Kanjama noted that the move to ban Muguka in Mombasa and Kilifi counties may trigger legal tussles.
The Mombasa Governor has however remained adamant insisting that there is no turning back and the total ban on entry, transportation distribution, sale and consumption of Muguka in Mombasa county remains in force.
