Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir has finally banned the sale and consumption of Muguka leaves in Mombasa.
The Governor says after a wide consultation with various stakeholders including the government’s body National Authority Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (NACADA), it has emerged that most of the mental challenges related cases in the county have been triggered by Muguka consumption.
In a press briefing at the Portreitz Sub county hospital in Changamwe, within Mombasa mainland West, Nassir noted that though he started working on banning the sale of Muguka within school surroundings and houses of worship, it has proved not to be enough, thus the drastic move of banning the trade in totality.
“We have banned the entry of Muguka in Mombasa, and equally we have banned the sale and consumption of Muguka in Mombasa. I urge all the relevant authorities mandated to enforce this Executive order to immediately swing into action,” noted the Mombasa County Chief.
Nassir, was however quick to state that the move is not aiming at victimising any livelihood state of any part of the country or the traders within Mombasa but to safeguard the young generation that is in peril.
Effects
Various studies from experts and health practitioners have proved that indeed Muguka has intensive varied effects to the health being of an individual, Nassir disclosing that he will not remain mum as the young generation is slowly disintegrating.
“Muguka causes lack of sleep, Hyperactivity and other underlying mental conditions, Anxiety, Impaired memory, Poor appetite, Sexual dysfunction, Increased heart rate, Stigma and discrimination, Wastage of money and time-buying and consuming Muguka, Engaging in crime among the youth to get money to buy Muguka leaves, the list is endless, according to health experts,” said Nassir.
Figures
He said that the data of people suffering from various mental health challenges in Mombasa has doubled, with many youth having been in the situation following Muguka addiction.
“NACADA has been rehabilitating youth affected by drugs and substance dependence disorders and over 50% of those seeking treatment at the public rehabilitation centre in Miritini, Jomvu Sub county started chewing Muguka leaves,” reiterated Mr Nassir.
The County Chief further revealed that out of 70 patients with mental health related challenges at the Portreitz Sub county hospital in Mombasa, 45 of them were as a result of chewing Muguka.
“As if these figures are not enough, up to 80% percent of drug users receiving treatment in other anti-dug organisations’ rehabilitation centres among them Reachout Centre Trust, MEWA, the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network among other private entities are those affected by Muguka addiction,” Nassir further revealed.
Nassir further disclosed that the county government has already set aside 18 treatment centres in all the six Sub counties of Kisauni, Nyali, Jomvu Changamwe, Likoni and Mvita to facilitate treatment especially with the anticipated withdrawal challenges.
Pressure
Nassir’s sentiments follow the piling pressure from locals and religious leaders who raised the red flag as minors were consuming the drug.
The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) appealed to Nassir to ban Muguka and Miraa (khat) in totality since it has affected school going children with minors of up to 14 years chewing the drug and indulging in crime.
“The move by Nassir to ban the selling of Muguka and miraa in school environs is not enough we want a total ban in the entire Mombasa county,” said CIPK Organising Secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa.
His sentiments were echoed by Sheikh Abubakar Hamza of Huda mosque in Spaki, Tudor area within Mombasa county who rubbished the defense from the traders that they solely depend on Muguka for them to pay school fees for their children and sustain themselves.
“So as you eke a living from Muguka our children here are slowly dying is that what you want?” he posed.
[Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir (left) with Likoni MP Mishi Mboko. Photo/Ali Said/May, 23, 24].
Politicians among them Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, Mombasa county Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib and his Changamwe counterpart Omar Mwinyi also had earlier urged Nassir to curtail Muguka trade in Mombasa.
Dramatically, Nassir had recently met a delegation from Meru and Embu counties and together they vowed to cement the emerging issues, only for the tables to be turned upside down on Thursday through an Executive order dated May, 22, 2024.
the governor had earlier increased the license fee for Muguka and miraa traders from Ksh.24,000 annually to Ksh.80,000 annually.
Nassir further noted that the Mombasa County Assembly will work on a different legislation to completely ban miraa as well from making its way to Mombasa county.