Muslim Women’s Group calls for muguka regulation after withdrawal of Bill

A Muslim women’s rights group has urged the government to urgently create a new legal framework to regulate Muguka, warning that the withdrawal of the Crops (Amendment) Bill 2024 could worsen a growing public health and social crisis in coastal areas.

In a statement on Tuesday , the Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP) criticised the withdrawal of the bill, saying it ignored the concerns of coastal communities suffering from the harmful effects of Muguka consumption.

The group said the decision showed that economic interests were being prioritised over the wellbeing of affected populations.

“The bill's withdrawal followed a meeting between Kilifi North MP Owen Yaa Baya, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, among other Embu County leaders, effectively maintaining Muguka's current legal status and the national government's subsidy of Sh500 million for its farming in the 2024/2025 financial year,” stated MWARP.

The group warned that this move undermines ongoing efforts to tackle the growing social damage caused by Muguka use.

MWARP said its fieldwork had shown links between Muguka and rising cases of mental illness, broken families, school dropouts, gender-based violence and crime in coastal counties.

“The withdrawal represents a missed opportunity to address pressing public health concerns through proper legislative channels,” the statement read.

“This decision appears to value economic gains above the welfare of vulnerable coastal communities, particularly women and girls who disproportionately suffer Muguka's social impacts.”

MWARP urged the government not to sacrifice community health and safety for regional economic benefits.

“While we acknowledge Muguka's economic importance to Mt Kenya and Embu farmers, we cannot ignore the severe public health emergency unfolding in coastal areas – a fundamental right protected under Article 43 of our Constitution,” they said.

To address the crisis, the group proposed a detailed regulatory plan that includes quality control, community-based support programmes, engagement with all affected groups, and better research and monitoring.

MWARP also called for the issue to be treated as a shared national problem, not a conflict between regions.

“This situation presents an opportunity for responsive governance that balances competing interests through transparent, participatory policymaking – not a zero-sum game between regions,” the statement concluded.