By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
In a decisive move, the national government has stepped in to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the ban of Muguka in certain counties, including Mombasa and Kilifi.
President William Ruto, during a meeting with the leadership of Embu County, emphasized that Muguka, a variety of Miraa, is a legally recognized crop under national legislation.
This comes in response to recent bans imposed by some coastal governors, which have sparked significant concerns among stakeholders.
The meeting, held at State House, Nairobi, included key figures such as Governor Cecily Mbarire of Embu, her deputy governor, the senator, the women representative, and members of both the National Assembly and County Assembly.
Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi also attended, reiterating the legal status of Muguka as defined by the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
President Ruto underscored that any local laws or orders contradicting national legislation regarding Muguka are null and void.
He affirmed that the regulations passed by Parliament obligate the government to support the Muguka industry through funding for farming, licensing, promotion, regulation, transportation, aggregation, selling, marketing, and export.
To operationalize these regulations, the government has established the Miraa/Muguka Pricing Committee and the Miraa/Muguka Standard Code of Practice, which will oversee the entire value chain of the crop. The Council of Governors has already nominated three members to the pricing committee.
Addressing the broader concerns of all parties and stakeholders, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has been directed to convene a consultative forum to resolve issues and ensure smooth implementation of the Miraa/Muguka Regulations 2023.
In a significant commitment to the industry, the government has allocated KSh500 million in the 2024/25 financial year to enhance the value addition of these scheduled crops.
This investment aims to scale up farming, aggregation, grading, pricing, packaging, and overall value addition processes.
The government reiterated its dedication to combating illegal drugs, illicit brews, and other illegal substances, maintaining that the recognition and support of Muguka are part of a broader strategy to promote legal agricultural practices and economic development.
This announcement, dated 27th May 2024, from State House, Nairobi, marks a pivotal step in safeguarding the interests of Muguka farmers and ensuring the crop’s sustained growth and contribution to the economy.