Mombasa unbowed as contraband takes root

The Coast leadership has maintained an unwavering resolve against muguka and drug abuse.

Over the weekend, trucks ferrying muguka were denied entry to Mombasa as county enforcers intensified their watch at Bonje cess collection point.

Faced with the rigorous crackdown, transporters rerouted, and chose to offload their cargo at Kokotoni and Mariakani, far from Mombasa’s periphery, leaving small-scale traders to devise their means of last-mile delivery into the city.

As a result some of the traders resorted to devising unorthodox tricks of smuggling the beleaguered stimulant into the Port County and beyond by using plastic jerry cans, suitcases, and in some instances women disguising as expectant

However, the vigilant county officials were quick to thwart these efforts.

Deputy Staff Operations Inspector Leila Murunga, leading the operations at Bonje, reported several arrests.

“We are not blocking entry; they are required to pay for the cargo, but none of them want to comply. They are using dirty tricks,” Murunga stated.

But during the celebration to mark Madaraka Day at the Mama Ngina Waterfront, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast stance against muguka.

He insisted that muguka would not be allowed into Mombasa and that they would have a meeting with leaders from North Eastern Kenya over the issue.

Leaders’ meeting

This is even as President William Ruto convened a leaders meeting this coming week to find a way forward amidst the socio-economic impasse.

“We will not be enslaved to serve the interests of others as our own suffer. If this decision signals my political obituary, then so be it; I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees,” declared Nassir.

An executive order dated May 22 explicitly bans motor vehicles carrying muguka from entering the county. Nassir, despite warnings about his firm stance, remains resolute.

The event saw the attendance of prominent leaders, including Mombasa Senator Mwinyihaji Faki, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, Bady Twalib (Jomvu), Mohamed Machele (Mvita), and Hon. Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), along with numerous Members of the County Assembly of Mombasa.

Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba urged residents to support the fight, on grounds that with zero consumers, traders are likely to change their minds.

“If even the goats cant chew those leaves who are human beings to even dare?” posed Bedzemba.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko rejected any involvement of Agriculture Minister Mithika Linturi in the talks and instead asked President Ruto to hold a meeting with coastal leaders and hear the concerns himself.

Fertiliser scandal

“We do not want a meeting with Linturi. He has many other issues to deal with, including the fake fertilizer scandal. Just as you met with the leaders from where muguka originates, meet with us so that we can explain its effects on our community,” said Mboko, noting that the effects were already evident with reports of learners being found with packages of the readily available stimulant.

The governor said he is determined to completely end the sale of Muguka in his county, saying it has caused untold suffering to the consumers and their families.

“This is going to be the year of sanity,” he said.

On Saturday, he promised to cater for rehabilitation expenses for those who are willing.

In the neighbouring Kwale County, in a bid to curb muguka, Governor Fatuma Achani announced plans to increase the charges on the crop from Sh10,000 to Sh300,000 per truck, effective upon the approval of the County Finance Bill 2024/2025.

Addressing residents during the Madaraka Day celebrations, Achani dismissed allegations of supporting muguka sales, citing the crop’s detrimental effects on her constituents.

“We have set the new prices to ensure that those without substantial means cannot purchase it,” Achani explained. Despite opting to regulate rather than ban the crop due to legal concerns, she assured that its distribution would be strictly monitored to protect the youth.

Governor Achani further urged the community to combat not only muguka but also other drugs such as bhang and various illicit substances.

Her stance, juxtaposed against recent claims, emphasizes regulation over prohibition, aligning with legal protocols to mitigate harm.

“As leaders, we join in the fight against the misuse of muguka. We won’t ban it outright due to legalities, but we are committed to stringent regulations,” she affirmed.