MP Owen Baya Accused of Pocketing Sh2M To Drop Controversial Muguka Bill

Explosive allegations emerge as Kilifi North legislator withdraws anti-muguka legislation following closed-door meetings with Deputy President Kindiki

Kilifi North Member of Parliament Owen Baya is facing serious corruption allegations after sources claimed he received Sh2 million to withdraw his controversial bill seeking to strip muguka of its legal status in Kenya.

The explosive allegations, first reported by Weekly Citizen, suggest that Baya was compromised during closed-door negotiations with government officials, abandoning his constituents’ interests for financial gain.

The controversial bill

Baya had tabled the Private Member’s Bill in Parliament on May 22, 2025, seeking to amend the Crops Act, Cap 318, by distinguishing muguka from miraa (khat) and excluding it from the list of scheduled crops.

The legislation would have effectively ended muguka’s recognition as a legal crop in Kenya.

The bill had gained significant support in the coastal region, particularly in Baya’s home turf, where counties like Mombasa and Kilifi have banned muguka business citing public health concerns.

Alleged bribery

According to sources familiar with the matter, Baya was summoned to a closed-door meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and leaders from Embu County, where muguka politics took center stage.

The meeting allegedly had State House blessings, with officials reaching out directly to the Kilifi North MP.

“Those in the know claim the MP was told his move was bound to cost President William Ruto and UDA heavily in Mount Kenya East,” sources revealed to local press.

The allegations suggest that Baya was given Sh2 million to cover what officials described as “input in drafting the bill” – effectively compensation for withdrawing the legislation.

On June 4, 2025, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had held a meeting with Baya following a request from elected leaders in Embu County, a key muguka-growing region.

“Hon. Baya has graciously agreed to withdraw his legislative proposal,” said DP Kindiki.

The withdrawal came after intense pressure from muguka-producing regions, particularly Embu County, where the crop is a major economic lifeline.

The muguka industry is estimated to generate over KSh 22 million annually, with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire estimating that muguka generates KSh22 billion annually for the county, supporting 65,000 farmers and a network of traders and transporters.

President Ruto has confirmed that Muguka is a scheduled crop and noted that Ksh500 million had been allocated towards its farming in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

This substantial government investment appears to have influenced the political pressure applied to Baya.

The controversy highlights the growing divide between coastal and eastern counties over muguka. While coastal counties have pushed for bans citing health concerns, eastern counties view such moves as economic sabotage.

Speaking in Embu on Monday, June 2, 2025, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji criticized Baya, accusing him of betraying the economic lifeblood of the region in favour of political gamesmanship.

He argued that the motion, if enacted, would severely disrupt the lives of local families who depend on the Muguka value chain.

The bribery allegations have raised serious questions about the integrity of Kenya’s legislative process and the influence of executive pressure on parliamentary independence.

Critics argue that if proven true, the allegations represent a direct assault on democratic governance.

Sheikh Abu Qatada has already criticized Baya for withdrawing the muguka bill from the house, suggesting that the MP’s constituents feel betrayed by his sudden change of position.

The Ruto administration has made its position clear on muguka, viewing the crop as economically vital to the Mount Kenya East region – a crucial voting bloc for the ruling UDA party.

The government’s Sh500 million budget allocation for muguka farming and value chains demonstrates its commitment to protecting the industry.