The controversial bill seeking to delist Catha edulis (muguka) from the country’s list of scheduled crops has been dropped.
The proposed amendment, introduced by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, aimed to differentiate muguka from miraa and subsequently strip muguka of its recognition under the Crops Act.
Had it been passed, the bill would have removed muguka from the protective legal framework that guarantees state-backed regulation, support, and market access for scheduled crops.
The bill was dropped after Baya held a meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, June 4.
"Following the request from Embu County elected leaders, the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki met MP Owen Baya, sponsor of the private member’s bill that sought to delete Cathus edulis (Muguuka) from the Schedule to the Crops Act. Baya has graciously agreed to drop his legislative proposal," read a message from Kindiki's office.
