President William Ruto reacted to the ban of Muguka in Kilifi and Mombasa. The President highlighted efforts to make the Muguka a good venture in the country.
The President added that the ban of Muguka in both counties is null and void. Governors executive orders are not superior to national parliament that enacted the laws.
At a meeting between President William Ruto and Embu County leadership addressed the recent ban on Muguka by some counties on May 27, 2024, at State House, Nairobi.
• The government acknowledges the unrest caused by Muguka’s recent ban in some counties.
• The Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023 recognize Muguka, a variety of Miraa, as a scheduled crop.
• Any laws or orders contradicting the national legislation on Muguka are null and void.
• Regulations passed by the National Assembly and Senate, with the concurrence of the Council of Governors, obligate the government to allocate funds for various aspects of Muguka cultivation and trade.
• The regulations call for the Miraa/Mügüka Pricing Committee to be established, with three members already nominated.
• We will implement a Miraa/Mügüka Standard Code of Practice to regulate the industry.
• We direct the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to convene a consultative forum to address concerns and agree on the implementation of the regulations.
• In the 2024–25 financial year, the government commits Ksh 500 million to the value addition of crops, including muguka.
• Farmers will receive funds for muguka farming, licensing, promotion, regulation, transportation, aggregation, selling, marketing, and export.
The President gave an immediate order to revoke all the executive orders from the counties and Muguka to be sold like any other cash crop.