“Classify Muguka As A Harmful Drug!” – Mombasa Governor
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has urged members of parliament to identify muguka as a dangerous chemical and legally remove it from the list of cash crops.
Speaking in Mombasa during a church service on Sunday, January 4, the county head stated that the product presented a severe threat to adolescents, particularly in Mombasa County.
He stated that urgent national action is necessary to preserve families and future generations.
He stated that about half of individuals afflicted by drug and substance usage were affected by muguka, including school-aged youngsters.
The governor urged the coastal area’s assembly to introduce a vote in parliament prohibiting the product from entering the region.
I support President @WilliamsRuto's call for the death penalty for drug traffickers and peddlers. The narcotics trade continues to be a grave threat to society especially here at the Coast.
— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) January 4, 2026
That said, we must also wake up to the threat that other substances such as Muguka pose… pic.twitter.com/2mefoDGpKG
“I urge our legislators to consider legislative amendments to formally eliminate Muguka from the schedule of cash crops and classify it as a harmful drug,” Nassir stated.
“We need decisive national action to protect our families and future generations.”
“The problem in Mombasa is not illicit brew; our main problem is muguka. In July, August and September, over 50 per cent of those admitted to hospitals are because of this product,” he added.
“We will not accept. Feed us everything but not muguka. It has no vitamins, and our children are getting affected.”
His statements came after President William Ruto called for harsh sanctions for drug dealers and peddlers.
While endorsing the president’s call, the governor also advocated for muguka regulation, pointing out that Mombasa County consumes the commodity more than it produces.
He asked farmers to use their farms to produce constructive products rather than destructive ones, and he urged all stakeholders to support his efforts to legalize muguka.
The governor expressed full support for President Ruto’s proposal to take aggressive action against drug dealers, emphasizing that the county agreed unconditionally.
Muguka, often known as khat, is a unique kind produced largely in Embu County, where only the leaves are picked and eaten.
Its distinction from miraa is that in muguka, only leaves are chewed, while in miraa, young stems or twigs are chewed.
Prolonged use of the product is said to cause anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and even an increased risk of heart attack.
In men, it can lead to impotency, and it is also linked with low birth weight in pregnant women. Health officials also warn that its use is toxic to the liver and kidneys.
ALSO READ:
- Rogue Motorist Harasses Female Police Officer, NPS Issues Statement
- KRA Clarifies Tracking Kenyans’ Phone Transactions, Lists Targets
- Over 50 Police Recruits Discontinued From Training At Kiganjo
- REVEALED: Countries Exploiting Kenyans With Fraudulent Recruitment [LIST]
- NTSA Issues New Data On Driving Licenses, Urges Applicants To Track Progress
Muguka is classified as a legal complex stimulant and is a major economic driver for its farmers. It supports close to 65,000 farmers and has earned the country billions of shillings.
In Mombasa, for instance, it generates close to Ksh1 million daily in levies from its sale.
Counties in the coast region have previously attempted to ban the sale and distribution, efforts that have been constantly rejected by the courts.
In June 2025, a legislative proposal seeking to remove the product from the list of cash crops was withdrawn following the intervention of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
“Classify Muguka As A Harmful Drug!” – Mombasa Governor
