Naema Celestine 
Benmike Wekesa
Religious leaders in Kilifi County on Wednesday urged the National Government to allocate funds for adding value to cash crops in the Coast region, similar to promises made for miraa and muguka earlier this week.
Led by Bishop Amos Lewa of the Kilifi County Council of Bishops, Christian and Muslim clerics also called for funds to rehabilitate thousands of muguka and other drug addicts in the region. They praised President William Ruto for addressing the muguka debate following its ban by the County Governments of Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta.
During a press conference in Kilifi County, the clergymen highlighted the severe impact of muguka addiction on youths and urged the government to establish rehabilitation centers to help addicts lead productive lives.
They supported President Ruto’s promise to allocate Sh500 million for miraa and muguka value addition but stood by the ban on muguka imposed by Governors Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (Mombasa), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), and Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), advising growers to sell the stimulant elsewhere.
Bishop Lewa praised President Ruto as a visionary leader and clarified that the religious leaders were not opposed to the support given to Meru and Embu counties for miraa and muguka value addition.
Bishop Thomas Kakala of JCC Ministries suggested the government research muguka for potential medicinal value, questioning whether it could be used to produce medicine if found beneficial.
The leaders noted the ongoing fight against hard drugs and alcohol led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and emphasized the detrimental effects of muguka on youth, including reports of impotence.
Bishop James Chigodi of New Life Ministries called for funds to build factories for cashew nuts, coconuts, mangoes, and pineapples to boost the coastal counties’ economies. Muslim leaders Sheikh Famau Mohamed Famau and Badi Islam echoed these sentiments, urging the construction of a modern rehabilitation center to help the youth escape drug addiction. Malindi Anglican Bishop Reuben Katite observed that the muguka ban had already reduced youth idleness in Kilifi County.
