Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has ordered a ban on the sale, supply, and consumption of khat, popularly known as muguka, across the devolved unit.
He gave the executive order on Thursday at Port Reitz Hospital, Mombasa, highlighting the pervasive consumption of the stimulant drug at the Coast, including among school-going children.
Nassir said muguka traders have ignored laws put in place to safeguard children from the drug's influence, with some even going as far as selling the drug to minors.
"I have signed an executive order to ban the entry of muguka into Mombasa and to ban the sale and consumption of mugoka into Mombasa."
Further, he pointed out the detrimental effects of muguka consumption on people's health.
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"The basis is that the levels of cathine and cathinone in muguka is very high level. An average of about 20 leaves is enough to make someone have toxic imaginations. Imagine a child consuming this during school hours.”
"We have consulted with every person and this executive order stands. I hope members of the public will appreciate that this was a necessary decision."
