Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has come out in defence of muguka that faces an uncertain future following a proposed bill that seeks to downlist the stimulant from the list of scheduled crops.

The anti-muguka bill sponsored by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, if it sails through parliament and is assented to by the president, will spell doom to thousands of farmers in Embu who rely on the herbal stimulant for income.

Governor Mbarire read malice in the bill that proposes exclusion of muguka from the list of recognised crops leaving behind miraa, essentially removing safeguards and support offered by the government.

She asserted that the two belong to the same family khat (Catha edulis) and outlawing one variant was discriminatory and done in bad taste.

Speaking on Sunday during Madaraka Days celebrations at Makima Primary School grounds in Mbeere South Constituency, the governor said the move will deal a big blow to the economy of the county and hurt thousands of families that rely on it for survival.

She called for independent research to be carried out through the government chemist on the crop to demystify its alleged negative effects on consumers.

“As far as we are concerned, muguka is a good crop because no research has been done to state otherwise,” she said.

Mbarire appealed to President William Ruto not to assent to the bill even if it sails through the National Assembly.

“We ask the president not to be embarrassed of standing with us on this issue because we know it is a good crop,” she said.

She also accused the author of the bill of attempting to cripple the economy of the county and many families that rely on the crop for upkeep.

“We have declared war on the MP. We will not allow him to kill our livelihoods and economy,” she asserted.

Other leaders from the county who have come out in defence of the crop are Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji and Ward Representatives, who hail from Muguka growing zones of Mbeere North and South constituencies.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Samuel Waititu