Kilifi County government has imposed a ban on the entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and use of muguka within Killifi County.

An official statement by Governor Gideon Mung’aro immediately brought the law which also directed for the closure of all muguka selling outlets.

Kilifi bans muguka

The move comes after Mombasa county imposed a ban on the product.

“In exercise of the powers conferred in Section 30(2)(1) of the County Government Act and all other enabling laws of Kenya, I, Gideon Maitha Mung’aro, Governor of Kilifi County, hereby order and direct as follows: That, there be a total prohibition on the entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and use of muguka and its products within Kilifi County. That all outlets, whether in the form of retail or wholesale, selling and/or distributing Muguka within Kilifi County be closed immediately and/or stop the sale of Muguka and its products,

“That, Motor vehicles transporting Muguka shall not be allowed entry into Kilifi County. That, county departments and their agencies are directed to enforce this order without exception. In light of the above order, I therefore, with immediate effect, issue a directive to all the Kilifi County enforcement officers through the Directorate of enforcement to ensure the order is enforced in totality,” the order read in parts.

Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 on the ban of entry, transportation, distribution, sale, and use of muguka within Killifi County.

In exercise of the powers conferred in Section 30(2)(1) of the County Government Act and all other enabling laws of Kenya, I, Gideon Maitha Mung’aro,… pic.twitter.com/xaOmzc6oVk

— Gideon M. Mung’aro, OGW (@GideonMungaroM) May 24, 2024

Unsuccessful muguka ban

In 2018, legislators in Mombasa and Kwale counties lobbied unsuccessfully for a sales and consumption ban on muguka over fears of addiction among young people.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse supported the move, citing social and health worries.

“Muguka is worse than hard drugs because of its highly addictive nature. It is ruining homes, the country’s youth and should be banned,” Victor Okioma, the Chief Executive Officer said.