The Senate Standing Committee on Security, Defence and Foreign Relations held a public Participation forum with muguka farmers and traders from Embu County over the proposed bill that seeks to declassify miraa/muguka as drugs.
The forum held in Kiritiri Market in Mbeere South Constituency was meant to gather views on the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill 2024 sponsored by Meru Senator and Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi.
The Bill seeks to remove Cathinone and Cathine found in miraa/muguka from the category of drugs as scheduled by NACADA, essentially removing it from the category of narcotics.
The team was hosted by Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, who has been vocal in the fight against a ban on muguka that was threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers who depend on it for upkeep.
Classification of muguka as a drug has triggered a huge uproar from farmers and traders across Embu County, especially the dry lower sides of Mbeere South and North Constituencies, where it is predominantly grown.
Farmers expressed frustrations, arguing that vilification of muguka as a harmful product had no scientific backing and thus unfounded as well as economically damaging to their lives.
“For us, Muguka is not just a stimulant but a way of life,” said Mbeere-Embu Muguka Cooperative Society Chair Jerevasio Kothe.
Experts from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) and the National Museums of Kenya presented their findings during the forum, indicating that Muguka and Miraa are genetically similar, with only minor differences due to regional climate variations.
“Muguka contains Cathinone and Cathine just like Miraa. Scientifically, there is no significant difference between the two — they are essentially the same plant,” said Loise Ngithi, a researcher from the National Museums of Kenya.
They also argued that the stimulants may have health benefits, with studies indicating that it could help in the management of psychotic disorders and strengthen immunity.
Senator Murungi pledged to soldier on to ensure the bill sails through to protect the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and traders who depend on the stimulus for upkeep.
The Committee was led by Chair Senator Fatuma Dullo, who pledged to review all submissions and provide a report with recommendations in due course.
By Samuel Waititu
