Senator Cheruiyot's Advice To Coastal Governors After Muguka Ban

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has weighed in on the muguka ban in Kilifi and Mombasa counties.

In a statement via X on Monday, May 27, Cheruiyot said counties have no power to regulate the distribution and sale of muguka.

The Kericho senator acknowledged that the move was a noble undertaking however said it should be passed as a law in the National Assembly.

Senator Cheruiyot advised the coastal governors to lobby their MPs to pass a bill seeking to ban muguka.

“It's a noble thing for the coastal counties to seek to regulate the distribution of Muguka in their turf. However, truth is Counties have no such powers. Best thing is for the counties to lobby their MPs to present before parliament a bill seeking to ban the use of gokss,” said the Kericho Senator.

Mombasa Governor on Wednesday last week banned the sale and use of muguka in Mombasa through an executive order.

His Kilifi counterpart Gideon Mung’aro followed the suit on Friday and directed all outlets selling or distributing Muguka within Kilifi County to be closed immediately or stop the sale of Muguka and its products.

The decision of the two governors to ban muguka has however faced a backlash from a section of Kenyans.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire threatened to sue the two counties saying muguka value chain contributes about Sh22 billion per year to the Embu County government and the ban would affect farmers growing the crop.

“The County Government of Embu and County Assembly of Embu have engaged their legal team to move to court and seek guidance on the matter,” Mbarire said on Friday last week.