Socio-economic effect of chewing mûgûka among the youth in Kibwezi west sub-county, Makueni county, Kenya

Abstract

Chewing of mûgûka and its effect is well documented in the west. For example, in parts of Europe and America, mûgûka is a banned substance due to its adverse effects. However, it is legal to use mûgûka in the Arab countries. Literature on the use of mûgûka and especially its effect on the youth in Kenya is limited, a knowledge gap that this study aims to fill. The objectives of this study were to: find out the effect of chewing mûgûka by the youth in Kibwezi West Sub-County; establish the effects of chewing mûgûka by the youth on their productivity in the workplace in Kibwezi West Sub-County; describe the effects of chewing mûgûka by the youth on household income and, to examine the problems associated with chewing mûgûka in the society. This study employed a descriptive research design. A sample population of 378 was arrived at by measuring the target population of 23,823 with a 95 percent confidence level. Simple random sampling was used in selecting the respondents. Quantitative data were collected from the general population using questionnaires. Focus group interviews were employed in collecting qualitative data from key informants who were the chewers and sellers in the “bases”. The validity of the research instrument which is the questionnaire was assured by including all the objective questions in the questionnaire. Reliability was attained by pre-testing the questionnaire with 38 young people who did not participate in the main study. To interpret quantitative data, descriptive analysis was used. The study found that chewing mûgûka negatively affects work productivity among youths. Specifically, the research showed that it significantly reduces work productivity, promotes laziness and inability to participate in economic activities among the youths, and increases workplace absenteeism. Also, the study found that chewing of mûgûka may contribute to increased crime levels. On the effect of chewing on household income, the study found mixed results in that household that have members engaging in mûgûka trade may record increased income while those with members abusing the substance had decreased incomes. The study observed that in Kibwezi West sub-county, chewing mûgûka has become a habit in the last 10 years. This means the effects may increase as the period increases and the youth became addicted hence the need to set measures for its mitigation. The study recommends that the government should put in place control measures as they did in the Alcoholic Drugs Act of 2014. There should also be legislation by county governments for increased taxation on this drug. Both levels ofgovernment should regulate age at which one is allowed to indulge in chewing mûgûka.