Kwale government has bowed to pressure and promised to fully implement laws and policies to regulate muguka.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the county will, however, not completely ban the stimulant citing lack of authority.
She said the county Finance Bill 2024-2025 which was passed on Wednesday will help regulate muguka.
The bill proposes raising muguka fee from Sh10,000 to Sh100,000 per lorry.
"There was public participation on the issue and residents gave their views,” Achani said.
"As county government we are not encouraging nor condoning the use of Muguka because of the known health challenges and leaders have agreed to develop a legal framework to address the issue," she said.
According to Achani, the county has no mandate to ban the product because of the national laws.
Kwale residents faulted Achani for not making a decision similar to Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties.
The residents said muguka is harmful to the youth and endangers the future generation.
Muguka is a scheduled crop in accordance with the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023 passed by the National Assembly.
Achani asked residents to take up the concerns with their MPs who legalised the drugs and failed to put measures to regulate its consumption.
Kwale has been on the frontline in war against drugs and substance abuse.
Achani said her administration is committed to empower the youth affected by drugs and substance abuse.
Last year, the government rolled out a special programme to fight drugs and substance abuse.
The governor said the county took an initiative of opening up Kombani methadone and rehabilitation facility in Matuga as part of battling drug abuse.
The county is also providing recovery support to thousands of drug addicts in Kwale and Mombasa counties.
Achani urged Muguka users to be health-conscious and avoid consuming dangerous products.
"I want to ask everybody, including parents and youth, to put their health first and exercise caution against any form of drugs," she said.
The governor said the drug war is a shared responsibility that leaders should not bear alone.
"It is our responsibility as Kwale residents to look into how we can protect ourselves from drugs," she said.
She praised other coastal counties for their unwavering commitment in tackling drug abuse and promoting public health.
