Governor Abdulswamad Nassir ones again Push to Ban Muguka in Mombasa, supports State war against Drugs Cartels

Mombasa, 6th Jan 2026 – Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has once again sounded a strong warning against the sale and consumption of muguka within the county, terming it a substance of "zero nutritional value" that is causing alarm among the coastal youth.

Speaking during a public engagement, Governor Nassir expressed concern that the stimulant, a dried variant of khat, is now being consumed more heavily in Mombasa than in its traditional growing regions like Meru County.

"Why should we be the biggest consumers of something that comes from elsewhere and adds no health to our people?" posed the Governor. He suggested that if the county must import goods from Meru, then healthier options like potatoes or spinach should be considered instead. "Our people need food for the body, not things that destroy their health," he added.

This renewed call is not happening in isolation. It dovetails with the national government's intensified war against drugs and substance abuse. Recall that President William Ruto has recently voiced strong support for imposing the death penalty on individuals convicted of trafficking dangerous drugs, a move that has sparked national debate.

However, the path to banning muguka is legally thorny. In the year 2024, attempts by some coastal counties to impose a ban were shot down by the courts. The judiciary ruled that muguka is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act, 2013, and is therefore a regulated agricultural product, not an illegal narcotic. This legal distinction remains a significant hurdle for county-level bans.

Governor Nassir, however, is leaning heavily on health grounds to justify the push. His position finds backing in several scientific studies. Peer-reviewed research published in journals like those under the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) links chronic khat use to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and reduced sexual drive.

The debate, as seen on social media platform X, is sharply divided. Many coastal residents, especially parents, are applauding the Governor's stand, saying it is necessary to "protect our future generation" from addiction and health ruin.

On the flip side, others are warning of a serious economic backlash. Traders and farmers from Meru, where muguka is a major cash crop, have previously protested such bans, arguing they unjustly destroy livelihoods. Some X users questioned what alternative economic activities would be offered to the thousands of youths currently employed in the muguka supply chain within Mombasa.

As it stands, the county is weighing its options carefully. Whether this new push will lead to a fresh legal draft, a public participation drive, or another court battle remains the big question on everyone's mind.

What are your thoughts? Is banning muguka the right move for public health, or will it cause more economic pain? Share your comments below.