Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has unveiled plans to establish the Muguka and Miraa Pricing Committee in response to the ban imposed on these stimulants in select counties.
Addressing the press following a tea farmers’ forum held at the Rukuriri Tea Factory in Runyenjes, Embu County, on Wednesday, CS Linturi underscored his dedication to tackling the pricing challenges plaguing the crop.
He disclosed that the committee would be officially gazetted under the Crop Regulations Act of 2023 before the week concludes.
“By the end of this week, I will be gazetting the Muguka and Miraa Pricing Committee because the issue people are talking about is its cheapness such that it is being accessed by children,” the minister affirmed.
The committee’s mandate will encompass providing comprehensive guidelines for the sale of the stimulant, with a particular focus on regulating its prices to ensure responsible consumption practices.
Linturi further elaborated on plans to engage leaders from Kwale, Mombasa, and Tana River counties, where either bans or punitive taxes have been imposed on the crop, in constructive discussions.
“With Embu leaders, we were with President William Ruto at State House Nairobi, and we agreed to hold a meeting to deliberate how muguka trade can go on because it is an authorized crop and we cannot run away from that,” the CS stated, denouncing the levies as unjustified.
This initiative signifies a proactive approach by the government to address both the economic significance of the crop and the social concerns surrounding its accessibility, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children.
Through collaborative efforts and regulatory measures, the Muguka and Miraa Pricing Committee aims to strike a balance between promoting agricultural activities and safeguarding public health and well-being.
