Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja has ordered the immediate revocation of business licenses for shops selling muguka, a popular variety of miraa.
He said the move had been triggered by complaints from residents who said consumption of miraa has contributed to joblessness among the youth.
“Many women have been complaining that we do not care about their children’s welfare. I have considered their outcry and directed that all the licenses be revoked,” Samboja said.
He was addressing residents in Werugha, Wundanyi subcounty on Saturday.
Samboja said a two-week crackdown led by the county enforcement team shall be conducted to ensure no shop sells the drug.
Further, he said, residents had raised concerns over health issues among the youth who consume the stimulant.
Mary Mwakio, a resident of Wundanyi asked the government to set up a rehabilitation centre in the county as a majority of the youth are hooked on drugs.
“Apart from miraa, this county has a lot of hard drugs that our children are using. We want the government to set up a rehabilitation centre if itis serious about the fight against drugs,” she said.
However, Kinyua King’ori, the chairman of Ameru community living in Taita Taveta faulted the governor’s decision to curtail the sale of miraa.
King’ori said the decision was not anchored in the county laws pointing out that it would never be implemented.
“While noting that some youth might have been affected by the use of muguka, it is wrong for Samboja to give directions without formulating a law to guide the same,” King’ori told the Star.
He urged the governor to deal with all the illicit liquor which is killing hundreds of youths before they start petty fights with business people.
King’ori said the community, which dominates the miraa business in the county, shall issue a conclusive response once they are given the notice to stop the sale of the stimulant.
