There was mixed reaction in Mombasa County on the ban of muguka. Women in Mombasa, led by the National Authority Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) director Farida Rashid, have come out in support of the ban on muguka.
They have blamed the stimulant on the rising cases of insecurity adding that children as young as 10 years are using the stimulant.
“Criminal gangs are on the rise in Mombasa. A 10-year old has the audacity to hold a panga and rob someone. On a further interrogation, you will find that this young man is an addict of muguka, therefore, we fully support the ban of this substance in the region,” said Rashid.
Muguka traders however took to the streets in protest after being ejected from Tononoka grounds which serves as the main distribution point for the stimulant in the city.
An estimated 85 stalls were brought down as the county government moved in to halt the sale of the stimulant.
Close to 80 stalls were flattened as the county moved to scuttle the sale of the highly addictive stimulant following complaints from the County Health department that ‘muguka’ was being sold even near schools, making it easier for students to access the stimulant
They accused County officials of misplaced priorities adding that they were being unfairly targeted as their business was legal.
Mombasa County ward Reps have proposed a ban on the sale and consumption of “muguka” following a high addiction rate among minors and youth.