Somalia-bound miraa stuck at JKIA in flight licence hitch

Thursday January 25, 2018

Miraa traders in Maua town last December. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Several tonnes of miraa (khat) destined for Somalia are grounded in Nairobi as Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) cracked down on passenger aircraft operating as cargo planes.

Nyambene Miraa Traders Association (Nyamita) chairman Kimathi Munjuri said traders risk losing millions of shillings in the standoff.

Mr Munjuri said more than 30 tonnes that were delivered at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday evening were yet to be cleared for export by Thursday morning.

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“Flights to destinations in Somalia and Somaliland including Mogadishu, Jowhar, Galkayo, Lasaanod, Garowe are grounded at JKIA awaiting seniors to give instructions on the way forward,” he said.

If the KCAA was sincere in enforcing safety and compliance, he said, they would have done their inspection before the miraa left the farms.

“The operators should have been notified of any inadequacies to avoid exposing miraa exporters and farmers to such levels of uncertainty and losses.”

The move comes after KCAA officials led by director- general Gilbert Kibe, last week, made an impromptu visit to the airport following reports that passenger aircraft were used to ferry miraa.

“A whistleblower alleged that there are operators operating cargo flights using passenger aircraft. We have done investigations and found that this is possibly true. The search will continue by doing more ramp inspections to find those operating irregularly,” Mr Kibe said.

The director general said operators found non-compliant will have their licences and certificates withdrawn.

“We are also investigating KCAA officials alleged to be complacent in allowing the non-compliant operators,” he said.

But Mr Munjuri faulted the regulator, saying it had failed in its work since none can operate without clearance.

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