The County Government of Embu has vowed to move to court to challenge the move by the Counties of Mombasa and Kilifi banning the supply, sale and consumption of herbal stimulant muguka.
Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo said they had assembled a team of lawyers that is expected to move to court on Monday to seek guidance over the matter.
In a statement on Friday following the ban pronouncement by the two Counties, Mugo said they will be seeking orders lifting the ban as they seek other avenues of unlocking the stalemate.
He said there was no justification for banning muguka that was a scheduled crop while allowing another of the same family (miraa) to gain entry and sale in the counties.
“The move will disadvantage players in the multi-billion value chain including farmers, traders and transporters,” he said, adding the counties also stand to lose millions in form of levies collected from the trade.
He read malice in the move having come barely two weeks after a team of leaders from Embu led by Governor Cecily Mbarire met with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff and MCAs to form a joint working team to ensure compliance with products trade regulations.
The DG said there was no scientific evidence to prove that muguka was a drug, adding there was also no single law prohibiting its sale or consumption.
Traders and farmers have expressed concern that they stand to lose in terms of revenue and livelihoods if the decision is not rescinded.
They called on President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua to intervene to safeguard their business.
Muguka is predominantly cultivated in Embu County especially the dry lower parts of Mbeere South and North Constituencies.
By Samuel Waititu
