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A brewing conflict has emerged between Coastal counties and the muguka-growing regions of Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi following a contentious ban on the transport, sale, and consumption of muguka in the Coastal region.

In a clash underscores the complex interplay between public health concerns and economic dependencies in Kenya, the rival counties have drawn their daggers.

On Thursday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir signed an executive order, effectively banning the entry, transportation, trade, and consumption of Muguka in the county. He described the move as an effort “to salvage a generation,” rather than a blow to anyone’s business.

In swift response, Embu County’s administration expressed grave concerns about the economic impact. Governor Cecily Mbarire highlighted that muguka, a variant of miraa, significantly boosts Embu’s economy, contributing an estimated Sh 22 billion annually.

Mbarire assured that legal consultations were underway to challenge the ban, emphasizing the stimulant’s economic importance to Embu and the intertwined economies of both counties.

Merely a day after Nassir’s proclamation, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro echoed the sentiment, announcing a similar ban.

Mung’aro declared that vehicles transporting Muguka would be barred entry, citing the need to protect the youth: “You can’t fight illegal alcohol in Mt. Kenya and then allow Muguka in Kilifi. It’s dangerous for our children. Even kids as young as five, six, and ten are chewing Muguka.”

Relentless pursuit

 Over the weekend, Mombasa and Kilifi enforcement teams engaged in relentless pursuits with Muguka traders who resorted to sneaky tactics, such as using bodaboda riders to slip through unmanned entry points.

Several shipments, often packed in plastic basins, were seized at the counties’ borders. Yet, in a viral video, some traders and users in Kilifi were seen celebrating the successful evasion of security checks.

 On a live radio program by Mediamax’s Coastal radio station, Msenangu FM, several Muguka users shared harrowing accounts of the stimulant’s effects.

Mwaro Rama from Mombasa lamented the loss of libido and elevated heart rate.

“Besides once you use it you always feel unease, the pulse rate elevates,” he told presenters Michael Otieno (Bishop) and Lemmy Lito (Sogohe) during the night radio show.

Another caller identified as Salo from Kadzonzo, Mishomoroni in Kisauni sub county supports the ban on Muguka, saying it will save the society. The caller shared his experience saying “sometimes semen would ooze freely after using the stimulant.”

“If you go for a short call, sometimes semen will first pass before the urine. How I wish this ban succeeds because I really don’t know what is in that stimulant,” explained Salo.

Faith from Por Rietz recounted her cousin’s rejection by a fiancée due to Muguka use. Lily, another caller from Bombululu said she once dated a man who would chew Muguka all night long up to 2.00pm.

“Whenever I visited him I would be completely disappointed. I had to end the relationship within two weeks,” said Lily.