Mombasa County Askaris Arrest Lady Carrying Muguka In Her Stomach: "Wewe Ni Mja Mzito?"

• The County Government of Mombasa has intensified efforts to halt the muguka trade by deploying inspectorate officers at key locations
• Muguka traders have resorted to various methods to smuggle the commodity into Mombasa, with authorities stepping up inspections
• In a recent operation, county askaris intercepted a tuk-tuk transporting a 'pregnant' Swahili lady, only to discover she was faking the pregnancy to hide a sack of muguka
• The lady admitted to the smuggling attempt and removed the sack from her belly, leading to laughter from the gathered crowd as officials confiscated the contraband

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa - The County Government of Mombasa has stepped up its operations to stop muguka trade in the coastal county.

The county's inspectorate officers have been deployed at strategic locations in and around the county to stop traders and transporters.

In a bid to sell their commodity, muguka traders have employed every trick in the book to smuggle it into the country.

How was Mombasa lady caught sneaking muguka into Mombasa

In one of the operations, the county askaris intercepted a tuk-tuk ferrying a 'pregnant' Swahili lady.

The askaris proceeded to inspect the lady, upon which they realised it was a fake pregnancy.

Further interaction with the lady revealed that she was trying to sneak a sack of the commodity into the county.

"It's not a secret that it's muguka. I am removing it, I didn't resist," said the lady as she removed a sack from her belly.

One of the officials moved away with the seized product as the crowd erupted in laughter following the bizarre arrest.

High Court's decision on muguka ban

Meanwhile, the High Court in Embu suspended the muguka ban in the three coast counties.

Justice Lucy Njuguna said the court was satisfied with the suit by the Embu County Assembly and the Kutheremeka Muguka Sacco Society Limited, who challenged the prohibition of the stimulant.

She suspended the ban until July 8, when the matter will be fully heard and determined in court.

What is Ruto's position on muguka?

Earlier, President William Ruto faulted the three coastal counties for their move to ban the stimulant.

The president sided with Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi who explained that muguka is a scheduled crop under the Crops Act 2013 and the Miraa Regulations 2023.

Ruto, therefore, termed the move by the counties null and void as it contravened national laws.

The president revealed his government would allocate KSh 500 million towards the growth and development of muguka and miraa crops.

Governor Gideon Mung'aro of Kilifi announced the decision to ban muguka on Friday, May 24, a day after Mombasa declared it illegal in the county.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

Nairobi Chef Who Started Sea Food Restaurant After Losing Job Excited As She Expands Business
China Posts Forecast-beating Growth In First Quarter
Francis Atwoli: Today It Won't Rain, I've Sent Omboko Milemba To Talk To Elders

Lady hiding muguka

Mombasa County Askaris Arrest Lady Carrying Muguka in Her Stomach

Two county askaris charged in court over bribery allegations | Mombasa