Kwale County Passes Bill To Regulate Muguka Aiming Revenue Increase
The Kwale government has given in to pressure and promised to fully implement laws and policies to regulate muguka.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the county will not completely ban the stimulant due to a lack of authority.
She stated that the county Finance Bill 2024-2025, which was passed on Wednesday, will help regulate muguka.
The bill proposes raising the muguka fee from Sh10,000 to Sh100,000 per lorry.
“There was public participation on the issue and residents gave their views,” Achani said.
“As county government we are not encouraging nor condoning the use of Muguka because of the known health challenges and leaders have agreed to develop a legal framework to address the issue,” she said.
According to Achani, the county has no authority to prohibit the product due to national laws.
Kwale residents criticized Achani for failing to make a decision similar to Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta counties.
Residents claimed that muguka is harmful to youth and endangers future generations.
Muguka is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act of 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023, which were passed by the National Assembly.
Achani urged residents to raise their concerns with their MPs, who legalised the drugs but failed to implement measures to regulate their consumption.
Kwale has been at the forefront of the war on drugs and substance abuse.
Achani stated that her administration is committed to empowering youth affected by drugs and substance abuse.
Last year, the government implemented a special program to combat drug and substance abuse.
The governor stated that the county took the initiative to open the Kombani methadone and rehabilitation facility in Matuga as part of its efforts to combat drug abuse.
The county also offers recovery assistance to thousands of drug addicts in Kwale and Mombasa counties.
Achani encouraged Muguka users to be health-conscious and avoid consuming dangerous products.
“I want to ask everybody, including parents and youth, to put their health first and exercise caution against any form of drugs,” she said.
The governor stated that the drug war is a shared responsibility that leaders should not assume alone.
“It is our responsibility as Kwale residents to look into how we can protect ourselves from drugs,” she said.
She praised other coastal counties for their unwavering commitment to combating drug abuse and improving public health.
Kwale County Passes Bill To Regulate Muguka Aiming Revenue Increase
