President Ruto Directs Ministry to Address Muguka Sale and Use Concerns

President William Ruto has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to hold a meeting with stakeholders to address concerns about the sale and use of muguka, a variety of miraa.

This directive comes after Kilifi and Mombasa counties imposed a ban on the stimulant.

The President met with Embu county leaders, including Governor Cecil Mbarire, her deputy, the senator, woman representative, and members of the national and county assembly, to discuss the issue.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi informed the President that muguka is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act, 2013, and the Miraa Regulations, 2013.

“With muguka having been recognized by national legislation, any other laws or orders that contradict national legislation are null and void,” Ruto stated.

To address the concerns of all parties, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is directed to convene a consultative forum to discuss and agree on the implementation of the Miraa/Muguka Regulations 2023.

The President emphasized that these regulations, passed by Parliament, obligate the government to allocate funds for various activities related to the crop, including farming, licensing, promotion, regulation, transportation, aggregation, selling, marketing, and export.

As part of the effort to support the sector, President Ruto announced that the government would invest Sh500 million in the 2024-25 Financial Year for the value addition of scheduled crops.

This investment aims to scale up the aggregation, grading, pricing, packaging, and value addition processes for these crops.

The President also highlighted that the Council of Governors has nominated three members to the Miraa/Muguka Pricing Committee, which will regulate prices in accordance with the Crops Act, 2023.

Despite these moves to support the muguka industry, President Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating drugs, illicit brews, and other illegal substances.

“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to the fight against drugs, illicit brews, and other illegal substances,” he said.

This development signals the government’s intention to balance the economic interests of miraa and muguka farmers with public health and safety concerns, fostering a collaborative approach to resolving the issue.