By Alloys Musyoka
The writing is on the wall with plans by governor Fatuma Achani in joining other Coast governors to bring to and end the Muguka and Miraa business and consumption in the Coastal region taking shape.
It is claimed that her public statements that she will not ban Muguka business in Kwale was a public relation move as her legal minds behind the scene worked closely with the county assembly to stop the trade that is said to have affected the generation.
Previously Muguka could go as low as Sh20 making it easy for school going children to afford it daily without the knowledge of their parents but now that will be a thing of the past as new Kwale county finance act 2024 place the bar too high for its affordability by the minors.
When other Governors who have been in parliament when Miraa was recorded as a cash crop in the country including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir ,Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani was assembling legal arsenals to fight the problem at hand secretly.
In the current finace act 2024 Achani has enacted stringent measures to regulate the sale and consumption of Mugoka and miraa within the region, aiming to safeguard the health and well-being of the youth.
With the signing and gazettment of the 2024 financial bill, which includes provisions for the taxation of these substances, Governor Achani aims to mitigate the adverse effects of their widespread availability according to her director of communication Nicky Gitonga.
Under the new law, every shipment of Mugoka and miraa entering Kwale County will be subject to taxation, with significant increases in fees for both sellers and importers.
“Miraa and Mugoka resident sellers now face a hefty fee of 50,000 to continue their trade, a considerable jump from the previous 10,000. Importers, transporting Mugoka via lorries or motorcycles, will also bear the brunt of increased taxes, with fees rising from 3,000 to 30,000 for motorcycle transport and 300,000 for lorry shipments weighing 15 tonnes,” he said.
Achani emphasized that these measures are crucial for regulating substance consumption and protecting the youth from potential health hazards.
“Lowering taxes can lead to increased consumption of harmful substances, which could have detrimental effects on the health of younger generations,” Gitonga emphasized.
He said that it is crucial to maintain these taxes to ensure that youths receive proper education and awareness about the risks associated with substance abuse.
Gitonga added that to cement Governor Achani move, the county authorities, in collaboration with the County Assembly and County Attorney Salim Gombeni, are set to implement additional regulations to further restrict the sale and distribution of Mugoka and miraa.
“Via the office of regulations county attorney Salim Gombeni in collaboration with the county assembly will put in place regulations limiting the sale of Mugoka and miraa,” said Gitonga
These regulations will prohibit the sale of Mugoka in sensitive areas such as school peripheries, religious spaces, and local markets. Instead, designated areas will be established for the trade, with specific pickup points designated for Mugoka arrivals, particularly from source regions like Meru County.
The comprehensive approach aims to minimize the accessibility of these substances to young people, thereby safeguarding their well-being and promoting a healthier community.
The enforcement of these regulations is slated to commence from the upcoming Monday June 10,2024, signaling a proactive step by the Kwale County Government to address the pressing issue of substance abuse among its residents.
On Saturday, Kwale county government enforcement officers arrested and nabbed vehicles loaded with Miraa and Muguka headed to the area through panya routes a day after the Kwale county financial act 2024 was gazette after its enactment.
Kwale woman member of parliament Fatuma Masito has weighed in the issue of Muguka asking youths and Kwale residents to regard the leaves as dangerous and destroyers drugs in the country.
