Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has maintained his stance on enforcing regulations on Miraa and Muguka to protect children from consumption of the stimulants. Barely days after Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire led a delegation of traders and MCAs from muguka growing wards to plead with Mombasa MCAs to reduce cess charges for muguka trucks from Sh80,000 as proposed in the budget to Sh60,000.
The two Governors agreed to constitute a committee headed by the County Government of Mombasa, two representatives of muguka traders, and two Mombasa MCAs to iron out contentious issues on muguka trade and consumption.
Senate Deputy Speaker and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi on Saturday led a team of Meru leaders including Deputy Governor Isaac M’ethingia to a consultative meeting with Mombasa leaders to resolve the standoff in miraa/muguka trade amidst new regulations and cess charges.
Governor Nassir said the Meru leaders want the assembly to reconsider the charges on miraa trucks. “The County Government of Mombasa doesn’t have the power to control the entry of (hard) drugs but has powers to regulate on stimulants that cause harm,” said Governor Nassir.
“Our stand remains the same, notices of closure have been issued to shops selling muguka near schools,” he added. The devolved government mulls the designation of muguka and miraa selling areas to control the proliferation of shops selling the stimulants near schools, and places of worship.
Governor Nassir urged public service vehicle drivers not to consume the stimulants while on the wheel to avoid road crashes.
The Departments of Education and Public Health are carrying out public sensitization in all the six Sub-Counties on the effects of the stimulants. Parents were urged to be responsible in their children’s behaviors.
The Governor said he is on a mission to bring sanity to business in Mombasa so that children will not to be exposed to miraa and muguka. On his part, Meru Senator Murungi said they had a meeting with Meru traders who have raised their concerns on the challenges they faced in the miraa trade in Mombasa.
“All traders from Meru and other regions are ready to work with your government for the continuation of their businesses,” he stated, adding, that miraa has been chewed for eons and has not caused any problem.
Senator Murungi underscored the pivotal role of dialogue between counties saying it is the essence of devolution.