Threatening to ban mûgûka in the area, Kilifi County leaders have expressed discontent with the national government’s crackdown on palm wine brew.
In Jaribuni area of Kauma Sub County, the leaders voiced concerns about the impact of the social stimulant from Mt Kenya region on the area’s youth, insisting it should be declared an illicit drug.
Led by Ibrahim Abdi Matumbo, the Majority Leader of the Kilifi County Assembly, the leaders argued that palm wine, known as mnazi, was a cultural and social drink. They deemed it an insult to the Mijikenda community for the government to term it illicit.
“The coconut tree is our heritage, and all its products must be accepted because that is our livelihood. The fate of mnazi should be decided by the governor, not the national government,” he said.
“In the history of Kilifi County, I have never heard of someone dying because of consuming mnazi. If the national government has such information, they should provide it,” he added.
Amidst the crackdown spearheaded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Matumbo, also the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Watamu ward, emphasized that not all Kenyans were consumers of illicit brews and second-generation alcohol.
Sokoke ward MCA Harrison Thaura Mueni urged National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in the area to stop harassing mnazi traders and users. He threatened street protests if the harassment persisted.
Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) for Kauma Sub County, Pamela Kiama, assured mnazi traders and consumers of government protection. However, she insisted that traders must first acquire a traditional brew selling license costing Sh. 2,000 and operate from 12:00 noon to 10:00 PM.
“If people want to trade in mnazi, they should get the Traditional Liquor Operation Point to enable you to operate, and because we still don’t have the county enforcement officers, the police will be after you, but we have a waiver until 31st March for you to acquire the license,” she said.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro, on his part, condemned the consumption of mûgûka, stating that it had ruined the lives of many youth in Kilifi County and vowed to ban it.
“What has ruined our people, especially the youth in this County, is mûgûka. You know miraa is better because it is even expensive, but mûgûka can be accessed by young children for very few coins, and this has made children as young as six years start chewing it. I urge the Kilifi County Assembly to pass a law outlawing mûgûka so that we can save our youth,” he said.
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