- However, some of the MCAs, ardent users, backed by miraa traders, shot the motion down
- Had it been passed and implemented, many criminal activities would not have be witnessed in Mombasa
Image: BRIAN OTIENO
A Mombasa MCA has been vindicated after the county government banned the sale of miraa and muguka near places of worship and schools.
The ban also affected general shops, sparking uproar from users.
In 2018, during the second county assembly, Kadzandani MCA Fatma, then nominated, moved a motion to totally ban the sale of miraa and muguka in Mombasa.
However, some of the MCAs, ardent users, backed by miraa traders, shot the motion down.
Had it been passed and implemented, many criminal activities would not have be witnessed in Mombasa.
“We would now not be seeing different groups of people praising and criticising the governor," Kushe said.
“Today, our youth who are idle, opt to consume muguka, then when high on the stimulant, they rob people to get more money to buy muguka.”
She spoke in the wake of a renewed push to have the sale of the stimulants totally banned.
“I am glad to see MCAs push my agenda. It seems they are not afraid of the so-called wrath of the voters anymore. This is good,” Kushe said.
Bamburi MCA Patrick Mbelle said a total ban will be difficult to achieve because miraa is listed as a cash crop in Kenya.
Mbelle, who spoke to the Star on phones, said he is drafting a bill to make the stimulants as inaccessible as possible.
“Some of the suggestions we have received from people is the need to push miraa and muguka as far away from social amenities as possible," he said.
“We also need to make permits for miraa and muguka as expensive as possible."
Currently, the law says miraa and muguka should sold be sold at a radius of at least 100 metres away from schools, places of worship, Tvets, ECDEs, hospitals and other amenities.
However, Mbelle’s Muguka and Miraa Regulation Bill proposes that the distance should be increased to a radius of at least 500 metres.
He said other social amenities like social halls should be included in the list.
Kushe, who is the vice chair of the county assembly health committee, said she is ready to work with Mbelle to ensure Mombasa people are safeguarded from the effects of miraa and muguka.
“The last time I brought a motion in the assembly, it was quickly shot down because there were very many users in the assembly.
“This time, I am hoping that there will be more sense in the assembly than cents,” she said.
Mbelle met activists, clerics, youth and public health officers in his bid to collect views.
Public health officers have been brought on board to ascertain the level and types of chemicals in miraa and muguka.
“There are reports that the muguka and miraa our people consume are not of the same quality that Meru people consume," he said.
“There are chemicals used to preserve them and that is why we want public health officials on board.”
Mbelle said the ultimate goal in the long run is to move towards a total ban.
He said the reason for controlling the stimulant is to safeguard the youth and school going children.
Mbelle said this is the population that has been affected the most and yet they are the most productive.
“As a society, we are making more losses from muguka than profits,” Mbele said.
Image: BRIAN OTIENO