Kilifi County leaders have threatened to ban mogoka in the area if the national government continues with the crackdown on palm wine brew.
Speaking in Jaribuni area of Kauma Sub County, the leaders said that the social stimulant from Mt Kenya region had ruined more lives in the area especially the youth and that it should henceforth be declared an illicit drug.
Led by the Kilifi County Assembly Majority Leader Ibrahim Abdi Matumbo, the leaders argued that palm wine, popularly known as mnazi was a cultural and social drink and that for the government to term it illicit was an insult to the Mijikenda community.
“The coconut tree is our heritage and all its products must be accepted because that is our livelihood. The only person who can decide on the fate of mnazi is the governor but not the national government,” he said.
“In the history of Kilifi County, I have never heard where someone has died because of consuming mnazi and if you the national government have that information, you should provide it,” he added.
His statement comes amid a national crackdown on illicit brews and drugs being spearheaded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Matumbo who is also the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Watamu ward added that widespread consumption of illicit brews and second-generation alcohol in Mt Kenya where people have died from consumption should not be construed to indicate that all Kenyans were consumers of such stuff.
Sokoke ward MCA Harrison Thaura Mueni urged the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in the area to desist from harassing mnazi traders and users and threatened to stage street protests if the harassment continued.
The Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) for Kauma Sub County Pamela Kiama assured mnazi traders and consumers in the area of government protection but insisted that the traders must first acquire a traditional brew selling license that costs Sh. 2,000 and that they must operate from 12:00 noon to 10:00 PM.
“If people want to trade in mnazi, they should get the Traditional Liquor Operation Point to enable you operate and because we still don’t have the county enforcement officers, the police will be after you but we have a waiver until 31st March for you to acquire the license,” she said.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro on his part condemned the consumption of mogoka saying that it had ruined the lives of many youth in Kilifi County and vowed to ban it.
“What has ruined our people especially the youth in this County is mogoka, you know miraa is better because it is even expensive but mogoka can be accessed by young children for very few coins and this has made children as young as six years to start chewing it, I urge the Kilifi County Assembly to pass a law outlawing mogoka so that we can save our youth,” he said.
