Fight Against Drugs Intensifies as Govt Pushes to Classify Muguka as a Harmful Drug

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has renewed his call for Parliament to classify muguka as a harmful drug and remove it from the list of recognised cash crops in Kenya.

Speaking during a church service in Mombasa on Sunday, January 4, the governor warned that muguka poses a serious danger to young people, especially in the Coast region. He said urgent national action is needed to protect families and future generations.

According to Nassir, muguka is a major contributor to drug and substance abuse in Mombasa County. He claimed that nearly half of those affected by drug abuse in the region are linked to the use of muguka, including school-going children.

The governor urged Members of Parliament from the Coast to table a motion seeking to ban the product from entering the region and to push for changes in the law.

“I urge our legislators to amend the law and remove muguka from the list of cash crops. It should be classified as a harmful drug. We need firm national action to protect our families and our future,” Nassir said.

He further stated that muguka, not illicit alcohol, is the biggest problem facing Mombasa. The governor revealed that during the months of July, August and September, more than 50 per cent of hospital admissions related to substance abuse were linked to muguka.

“Feed us anything, but not muguka. It has no nutritional value, yet it is destroying our children,” he added.

Nassir’s remarks come shortly after President William Ruto called for tougher punishment for drug traffickers and dealers. While backing the President’s position, the governor also pushed for stricter regulation of muguka, noting that Mombasa consumes more of the product than the regions where it is grown.

He appealed to farmers who grow muguka to consider switching to alternative crops that contribute positively to society. The governor also called on leaders, parents and other stakeholders to support efforts to outlaw the substance.

Muguka, a type of khat mainly grown in Embu County, involves chewing only the leaves, unlike miraa where young stems are also chewed. Health experts warn that prolonged use of muguka can lead to anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attacks.

Medical officials also say the substance can cause liver and kidney damage, lead to impotence in men, and result in low birth weight among pregnant women.

Despite the health concerns, muguka remains legal and is a major source of income for farmers. It supports about 65,000 farmers nationwide and generates billions of shillings. In Mombasa alone, the county reportedly earns nearly KSh1 million daily from levies linked to its sale.

Past attempts by Coast counties to ban muguka have been blocked by courts. In June 2025, a proposal to remove muguka from the list of cash crops was withdrawn after intervention by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.