President William Ruto, on the evening of Monday, May 27 met with the leaders of Embu County, in a discussion about the ban of Muguka crop in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties.
The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Mithika Linturi said that the ban on the crop is null and void.
“The purported ban is null and void since Muguka, a variety of Miraa, is a scheduled crop in accordance with the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.
The laws were passed by the National Assembly and the Senate and in concurrence of the Council of Governors and I’m delighted with the President’s commitment to allocate Sh500m in the 2024/25 FY for value addition of these scheduled crops.
As directed by the President after the meeting, my ministry will soon convene a consultative forum for all stakeholders in the sector to address the concerns raised by the counties,” Linturi said.
The MCA for Kithimu ward, Embu, Njagi Karuri says that the President confirmed the status of Muguka, and that the confirmation signifies that Muguka is a recognized crop under the legislation of the National Assembly and the Constitution of Kenya.
“I am proud to inform Muguka farmers in Kithimu Ward that His Excellency the President has expressively confirmed the status of Muguka, a variety of Miraa, is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2013.This signifies that Muguka is a recognized crop under legislation of the National Assembly and under the Constitution of Kenya.As such, any ban of the crop in any part of the country is in contravention of the laws and against the provisions of the Kenya Constitution 2010,” Karuri noted.
MCA Karuri further thanked Embu governor Cecily Mbarire for providing leadership ‘when the livelihoods of her constituents was put at risk’.
“As the Chairman of Trade in the Embu County Assembly, I am enormously thankful to H.E Cecily Mbarire EGH, for providing leadership when the livelihoods of her constituents was put at great risk. We will remain steadfastly behind you in your vision to transform Embu County ,” Karuri added.
