- The governor said it was sad to witness children as young as 10 years consuming muguka
- We have not banned the sale of miraa or anything else but we have to ban muguka completely because it is worse than the drugs being used, he said
Image: ALPHONCE GARI
Days after Mombasa county banned the sale of miraa and muguka near public schools, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has followed suit.
Mung’aro has vowed to completely ban the sale of muguka in his county, saying the substance is "spoiling children".
Speaking in public forums in Malindi, the governor said it was sad to witness children as young as 10 years old consuming muguka, terming it a threat to the younger generation.
Lawyers are drafting a bill which will be taken to the Assembly to ban the substance, he said, after which he would sign the bill to law.
“Let me tell you, many people will hate me but I know even when I was the mayor here, we demolished illegal structures people complained but later we made Malindi a nice place.”
He pledged to stand his ground even if this will make him "lose votes".
“We are not against any business. We have not banned the sale of miraa or anything else but we have to ban muguka completely because it is worse than the drugs being used,” he said.
Famau Mohamed from Maarufu Anti-Drug Campaign organisation said they support the governor’s quest, and muguka should not be allowed for sale in the county.
“We are seeing your efforts and plans to ban muguka in Kilifi. We are behind you and fully support the plan as it's finishing our youths,” he said.
Mohamed said children aged less than 10 years are using the substance, which is like bhang.
He called on the government to step up efforts to deal with the drug barons who are contributing to the sale of drugs and destroying the lives of youth.
Last week, Mombasa MPs called for a total ban of miraa and muguka, after governor Abdullswamad Nassir prohibited their sale near educational institutions.