Monday June 13, 2022
Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Director General Silas
Kinoti has hailed President Uhuru Kenyatta for negotiating with the new Somali
President Hassan Mohamud to lift the ban on Miraa imports from Kenya.
Kinoti,a miraa fan said the move to finalise talks and
signing of a deal which is set to take place in the next two weeks will see
resumption of the trade between the two countries hence boost the farmers’
buying power and have a ripple effect in the entire Mt Kenya East region.
“We want to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for the
diplomatic negotiations he has been carrying out quietly. The ban had greatly
affected the economy of Mt Kenya East and the farmers’ earnings.The head of
state means well for his people and I’m sure our farmers who had abandoned the
crop will resume watering them. The only bit remaining is paperwork and trade
will return to normal like before.” he said.
President Kenyatta was among Head of States who attended the
inauguration of the new Somalia President on Thursday.
Kenya’s Agriculture Secretary Peter Munya who accompanied
the President said Mr Kenyatta brokered the deal with new President Hassan
Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday that will see the lifting of a two-year ban.
“I want to underline the importance of the Somalia market
because it was the most lucrative and served as the launching pad for cargo
transit to the Horn of Africa, Middle East and other countries.Farmajo was
involved in the import of miraa from elsewhere, thus sidelining Kenya and this
breakthrough is a relief to this country especially Miraa farmers” noted Munya
Former President Mohammed Farmaajo suspended Miraa imports
from Kenya in 2020, citing COVID-19 restrictions but the suspension was never
lifted as diplomatic issues kicked in.
The ban led to a loss of a daily market for more than 50
tons of Miraa valued at more than sh 20 million then.
Following the deal, Munya asked Miraa traders to now prepare
their product, following the reopening of the market.
“We are taking the good news to our farmers to now prepare
because the market will be open in two weeks,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Finance, in 2021, the import of
Miraa contributed sh 1.3 billion in tax to the country’s revenue.
CS Munya also revealed that in the agreement, once the trade
officially resumes, the Miraa cargo to Somalia will be using the Isiolo Airport
to Mogadishu because it is the shortest route.