Tala residents in Machakos county have asked the authorities to ban the miraa/mogoka vendors in the area.
The residents say the vice has made young people useless and unable to raise families. With the product costing from as low as Sh50, many young people are perishing in the vice.
"Many of youths are not even marrying because they are wasting their time and energy chewing Mogoka in the market," one aggrieved parent lamented.
Young boys at the age of even 12 years are chewing mogoka and this is making them irresponsible at a very young age, others dropping out of school.
Residents have urged the area leaders to demolish all the kiosks and restrict the sale of the stimulant.
"Even young ladies are not left behind, they are chewing leaves like goats," another resident said.
The idle sitting and not working has brought other vices in the community among them increased cases of insecurity, crime, and prostitution.
"Young mothers have become breadwinners since their men have become useless and all they know is miraa from as early as 8.00 am till late night. When will they work for their families?" Mwende, a young lady whose husband is a miraa chewer complained.
The area chief has been asked to fight the trade and chase away all the Mogoka/miraa sellers in the area.
Residents have threatened to hold demos if their voice is not heard.