Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has thrown his weight behind President William Ruto’s proposal for the death penalty for drug traffickers while calling for Muguka to be reclassified as a harmful drug.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook account on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Governor Nassir said the narcotics trade remains a grave threat to society, particularly in the Coast region.

“I support President William Ruto’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,” Nassir stated.

Call to ban Muguka

The Mombasa Governor also urged legislators to confront what he described as the growing danger posed by Muguka, warning that the substance is harming young people across the country.

Nassir called for legislative amendments to remove Muguka from the schedule of cash crops and reclassify it as a harmful drug.

“That said, we must also wake up to the threat that other substances, such as Muguka, pose to our youth. 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,” he said.

Nassir emphasised the need for decisive national action to safeguard families and future generations from harmful substances.

“We need decisive national action to protect our families and future generations,” the Governor concluded.

Ruto’s death penalty proposal

Nassir’s statement comes a day after Ruto announced plans to overhaul Kenya’s narcotics laws to introduce harsher penalties for drug trafficking.

Speaking during an engagement ceremony on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Ruto said the proposed changes would replace what he described as lenient punishments under the current legal framework.

“People who are selling heroin and cocaine are destroying our children. Those who are selling or their children don’t use it themselves; they come to sell to other people’s children,” Ruto said.

“The past law stated that such people should be fined Ksh1 million. We are now changing the law to make it a capital offence. Those found guilty would face the ultimate penalty,” he added.