Some 15 bags of Muguka that were confiscated from two traders in Kwale County were destroyed on Sunday amid the novel coronavirus (covid-19) outbreak.
The move comes weeks after the county government banned the sale, handling and consumption of muguka and miraa in the coastal county as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The destruction of the fresh muguka at the Kwale Police headquarters were supervised by the Kwale County Commissioner (CC), Karuku Ngumo and the County Police Commander, Joseph Nthenge.
Ngumo said the suspension in trade of the crop over the coronavirus outbreak introduced a fortnight ago still stands and those violating it will have it rough.
He said the two traders sourced the herbs from Meru County and were transporting it to Lunga Lunga Sub County in a saloon car when they were intercepted by police manning a checkpoint in Merere area.
“Kwale County has banned the sale and use of miraa and muguka and the security personnel are under instructions to effect this ban,” said Ngumo.
The administrator said the stimulants may be the conduits in the spread of the covid-19.
He said even before the temporary ban occasioned by the covid-19 outbreak authorities have been expressing concern over the widespread consumption of muguka and miraa by the youth.
One the traders, Boniface Mureithi who spoke to KNA at the police headquarters protested the move saying county authorities have not issued traders with a notice on the ban.
By Hussein Abdullahi
