Embu: Muguka farmers from Mbeere North, Embu County are up in arms over a proposed bill that seeks to strip Muguka of its legal status as a scheduled crop. The Bill, sponsored by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, proposes to delete Muguka from the Crops Act, effectively ending its recognition as a legal crop in Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the farmers have called on the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah not to allow debate on the bill, which they say spells doom to their main source of income. Led by local leader Leonard Muthende, the farmers have also questioned the timing and motive behind the bill, which comes at a time when they do not have representation in parliament following the appointment of Geoffrey Ruku to the Cabinet.
Muthende argued that instead of introducing laws that would hurt the industry, the legislator should have pushed for policies that benefit growers, such as compensation or royalties for the community whose economy largely depends on
Muguka. He emphasized that Muguka farming has made life bearable in this semi-arid and marginalized area and warned against destabilizing the status quo.
Farmer Kathuri Nganjire supported Muthende’s sentiments, stating that Muguka farming has not caused any harm as alleged in some quarters and accused opponents of the crop of trying to destabilize families that rely on Muguka as their main source of income. Another farmer, Felista Kanini, warned that if Muguka is declassified as a crop, thousands of youths and families who depend on it may be pushed into crime due to the loss of livelihood.
Muguka contributes significantly to Embu County’s economy, bringing in about Sh22 billion annually, surpassing earnings from coffee and tea. Farmers deliver up to 36 tonnes daily to the coast, raking in an estimated Sh10.8 million each day. President William Ruto last year stated that Muguka was legally recognized and any attempts to ban it would be considered unconstitutional.