Muguka farmers in parts of the Central region can breathe easy after an MP agreed to drop his bid to change the law and remove the stimulant from the list of cash crops in Kenya.
The Crops (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, had proposed that Muguka should be deleted from the Crops Act, effectively ending its recognition as a legal crop in Kenya.
According to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, in a statement on Wednesday, May 4, the lawmaker agreed to drop the bill, which was received in parliament on May 22, after a meeting between them. "Following the request from Embu County elected leaders, met the Hon Owen Baya, sponsor of the private member's bill that sought to delete Cathus edulis (Muguuka) from the Schedule to the Crops Act," Kindiki said."The Hon Baya has graciously agreed to drop his legislative proposal," Kindiki said. A screengrab of furious Deputy President Kithure Kindiki lashing out at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during an empowerment program in Kiambu on May 25, 2025.
Photo Screengrab/KD Through the Bill, Baya wanted the Crop Act amendment to differentiate Muguka from Miraa, therefore excluding it from being recognised as a scheduled crop.
