In what is seen to be a departure from her initial position on Muguka ban, Kwale County governor Fatuma Achani has expressed her disappointment with President William Ruto over his decision on the stimulant.
Speaking on Msenangu FM’s morning show on Friday, May 31, 2024, Achani noted that Ruto had made a partial decision to invalidate the bans on muguka which were effected in Kilifi and Mombasa counties.
“Even though I was elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, I am disappointed by President Ruto’s decision on muguka because we were not involved,” Achani said.
Achani, however, noted that she had remained silent on the bans that were sweeping along the coast due to the difficulties involved in enforcement.
“Suppose our enforcement officers arrest individuals involved in the sale of muguka, which court will they appear in and what law will they be prosecuted against,” Achani observed.
This came after political leaders at the coast mounted pressure on the governor to order a similar ban on the stimulant that has been a hot topic for the last week.
Additionally, Achani urged President Ruto to reach out to the leaders at the coast and give them a hearing so as to come up with a balanced view and decision on the drug issue at the coast.
“Kenyans erred in the step to classify muguka as a cash crop, it must be declassified,” Achani noted.
Orders on muguka
This comes just days after an Embu court issued conservatory orders halting on the muguka ban in Mombasa.
Justice Lucy Njuguna issued the orders in a petition filed by Kutherema Muguka Sacco, the Embu County Assembly, farmer Benjamin Njeru Joshua, and the Embu County Government.
They were seeking judicial intervention to prevent the enforcement of the controversial ban, arguing it would have devastating effects on Muguka farmers and traders.
In the order, Justice Njunguna said that the ban will remain halted until all parties involved reach an agreement.
This decision is a temporary relief for Muguka farmers and traders, whose businesses had already begun to feel the adverse effects of the ban.
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