Coastal Governors, who form part of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Economic Bloc, refused to meet Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi on Monday, June 3, 2024, amidst growing tensions over the Muguka ban.
The governors of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu, and Taita Taveta, in a joint statement dated June 2, dismissed Linturi’s proposal, citing concerns over his impartiality in resolving the divisive matter.
“In your capacity as the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, you have openly addressed the constitutional and legal stances adopted by the Governors of Mombasa, Kilifi, and Taita Counties regarding the prohibition of Muguka,” enclosed an excerpt from the letter.
The governors emphasized that Linturi’s pre-existing stance on the matter rendered the meeting futile, hinting at the Agriculture Secretary’s prior declarations regarding the muguka prohibition.
“We recognize Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani as a consuming region with interests in both socio-economic and health security. Therefore, we respectfully conclude that you, as the Cabinet Secretary, are constrained in being an impartial arbiter on this subject.”
Furthermore, the governors emphasized the importance of including key stakeholders such as representatives from the Ministry of Health and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA).
“Given that the issue goes beyond agriculture, we propose that civil society and several security agencies participate in the upcoming meeting. The selling of muguka in the coastal area severely affects our economic, security, and health conditions,” the governors stressed.
The governors requested and invited support towards a consultative meeting with the Head of State, urging the inclusion of the Cabinet Secretaries of Health, Internal Security, as well as the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.
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