NAIROBI, Kenya – Kilifi North MP Owen Baya has withdrawn a controversial legislative proposal that sought to strip muguka of its legal status as a scheduled crop under Kenyan law, following high-level intervention by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
In a statement posted on X Wednesday morning, DP Kindiki confirmed that he had met with Baya—who had sponsored the private member’s bill—and that the MP had agreed to drop it after consultations with leaders from Embu County, where muguka is a major cash crop.
“Following a request from Embu County elected leaders, the Deputy President met Hon. Owen Baya… Hon. Baya has graciously agreed to withdraw his legislative proposal,” Kindiki said.
KAREN, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2025Following the request from Embu County elected leaders, met the Hon Owen Baya, sponsor of the private member’s bill that sought to delete cathus edulis (Muguuka) from the Schedule to the Crops Act.The Hon Baya has
The proposed amendment to the Crops Act, Cap 318, sought to differentiate muguka (a variety of Catha edulis) from miraa (khat), and exclude it from the list of scheduled crops.
The move would have effectively stripped muguka of state protection, regulation, and support—jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in eastern Kenya.
While the bill had not yet been tabled in Parliament, it sparked fierce opposition in muguka-growing regions like Embu, where local leaders warned it would open the door to county-level bans and restrictions without national oversight.
The meeting between Baya and the Deputy President came just days after Kindiki hosted Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and local MPs for closed-door talks in Nairobi, part of a broader effort to defuse political tensions in the county and safeguard agricultural interests.
The muguka debate has exposed a growing rift between coastal and eastern counties.
Leaders from Mombasa and Kilifi have repeatedly called for tighter restrictions or outright bans on the stimulant, citing health and social concerns, particularly among youth.
Last year, both counties attempted to outlaw the crop, only to be overruled by national authorities.
President William Ruto has previously weighed in on the matter, defending both miraa and muguka as legally protected crops.
He criticized county-level bans and warned governors against overstepping their mandates.
With Baya’s withdrawal of the bill, the government appears to be reaffirming its position in favor of regulated support for muguka—a move that is likely to calm nerves in Embu and Meru but may stir further discontent along the coast.
“Our dialogue with county leaders aims to harmonize development priorities and support agricultural livelihoods,” said DP Kindiki. “Embu is a key player in national production chains.”
