Importing jaadka should immediately be stopped

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

 

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Ganacsatada Qaadka Kenya oo sheegay gobolka Meru inuu galay faqri aad u xun ah markii la joojiyay Qaadkii Soomaaliya

Ganacsatada Qaadka iyo Beeraleyda Mira  ee dalka Kenya ayaa waxay dhigeen mudaaharaad ay kagasoo horjeedaan xayiraada saaran Qaadka Soomaaliya loo dhoofin jiray oo ku dhawaad muddo saddex bilood xayiran.

Dowladda Soomaaliya ayaa u xayirtay soo dejinta qaadka dalka gudihiisa iyadoo laga hortagayo faafitaanka cudurka safmarka ah ee coronavirus.

Balse, Qaadka ayaa magaalada Muqdisho iyo meelo katirsan gobolada koonfurta Soomaaliya ku taga hab qarsoodi ah, iyada oo la adeegsanayo in lagusoo qaado doomo kasoo shiraacda xeebaha gobolka Lamu ee Kenya.

Isbahaysiga ganacsatada daroogada, beeralleyda, ururada ganacsatada iyo kooxaha diimaha ee Kenya waxay u ololeynayaan inay ku guuleystaan dhoofinta alaabada ay ka mid yihiin Qaadka, iyagoo dowladda Soomaaliya ugu yeeray inay xayiraada ka qaado qaadka.

Ganacsatada oo fariin u diray dowladooda ayaan rumeysan Qaadka la'aantiisa (Meru) in magaaladoodu ku noolaan doonto faqri aad u xun.

Waxay sidoo kale walaac hor leh ka muujiyeen xayiraada saaaran xaafadda Islii ee Soomaalidu ku badan tahay, kadib markii lagusoo rogay bandow xoogan, taasoo keentay inuu istaago ganacsigii Qaadka ee xaafaddaas.

Dowladda Kenya ayaa maalin walba dhaqaale xoogan ka heli jirtay Qaadka ay u dhoofiso Soomaaliya. Waxaana joojintaan ay sababtay inay hoos  udhacdo nolasha qoysas badan oo ku tiirsanaa ka ganacsiga Qaadka.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Dowladda Soomaaliya oo shatigii kala noqotay labo diyaaradood oo si qarsoodi ah Qaad ku keenay Soomaaliya

Dowladda Soomaaliya ayaa sheegtay inay shatigii kala noqotay labo diyaaraddood oo ka diiwaan gashan dalka Kenya, kuwaas oo lagu eedeeyay inay shixnado qaad ah geeyeen meelo kamid ah Soomaaliya.

Labadaan diyaaraddood oo lagu kala magacaabo Buff AIR SERVICES iyo Silverstone Air Services ayaa lagu eedeeyay inay ku xadgudbeen xayiraadii saarnayd duulimaadyada caalamiga ah Covdi19 awgiis.

Labadaan diyaaradood ayaa ka kala degay Buuhoodle iyo Jowhar iyagoo dowladda Soomaaliya u sheegay inay sidaan gargaar Dawo ah, balse markii halkaas gaareen waxay la ogaaday inay sideen shixnad Qaad ah.

Shirkaddaha ay katirsan yihiin labada diyaaraddood weli kama hadlin kala noqoshada shatigii ay kaga howlgalayeen Soomaaliya.

Xigasho

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Ganacsatada dalka Kenya oo UHURU ka codsaday inuu kala hadlo FARMAAJO

 Ganacsatada beeraleyda qaadka ee Kenya ayaa qeyla dhaan ka muujiyay khasaare xoogan oo kasoo gaaray xayiraada ay dowladda federaalka Somalia kusoo rogtay duulimaadyada ka yimaada dalka Kenya sababo la xiriira badqabka caafimaad ee shacabka inta ay xaalada COVID-19 kasoo hagaageyso

Ganacsatada gobolka Miraa ee kasoo go’a qaadka loo soo dhoofiyo Somalia ayaa fariin ay saxaafadda u mariyeen madaxweynaha Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta waxay u sheegeen in keydkii ay haysteen uu ka dhamaaday, wax ay cunnaana aysan heysan.

Sidaasi darteed waxay ka codsadeen inuu xiriir deg deg ah uu la sameeyo madaxweynaha Somalia Maxamed C/llaahi Farmaajo si loo furo duuliyaadyada, xayiraadana laga qaado ganacsigooda.

Beeraleyda ka soo jeeda Nyambene ee Gobolka Meru, waxay aad uga soo go’a beerahooda qaadka Soomaaliya loo dhoofiyo ee nooca loo yaqaan  Grade iyo Kiza iyo noocyo kala duwan oo si gaar ah loogu talagalay suuqa Soomaaliya.

Xubno ka tirsan ganacsatada qaadka iyo beeraleeyda oo uu hoggaaminayay guddoomiyaha Miraa Moses Lichoro ayaa ugu yeeray Madaxweyne Uhuru Kenyatta in uu la xiriiro dhiggiisa Soomaaliya Maxamed C/llaahi Farmaajo si dib loogu bilaabo duulimaadyada xamuul.

Mr Lichoro wuxuu sheegay in beeralaydu ay u dhaceen keydkoodii kadib xayiraadii, haddana socoto bishii saddexaad, madaxweyne Uhuruna ay ka dalbaden inuu badbaadiyo ganacsigooda iyo noloshooda.

Wuxuu sheegay maadaama noocyada kala duwan ee qaadka hadda aysan lahayn suuq gudaha ah, ay ku qasbeen inay goostaan geedahooda isla markaana mararka qaar ay tiro yar ka iibiyaan ganacsatada maxalliga ah.

“Waxaan keydinay waa dhamaadeen hadda beeraley badan ayaan awoodin inay inay helaan waxay cunaan maxaa yeelay ma haysanno meel aan ku iibin karno miraheena. Xaaladda ayaa kacsan Madaxweynahana waa inuu ku dhaqaaqo deg deg ah, lana xariiro dhigiisa Somalia, si dib loogu furo dhaqaalaha, deriskeenna oggolaanshaha duulimaadyada nooga dalbo, ”ayuu yiri Mr Lichoro.

Wuxuu sheegay in ka badan 50 shaqaale ah ay ka howl galaan beeraha qaatka maalin walba kahor inta uusan imaan “Covid-19.

“Ka hor intaan lagu dhawaaqin xiritaanka Covid-19, waxaan iibin lahaa miraa qiimahoodu ka badan yahay Sh3 milyan bil kasta. In ka badan 50 qof ayaa mushahar ka heli lahaa beeraleyda laakiin inbadan oo kamid ah hadda waa shaqo la’aan. Qaarkood weli waxay igu tiirsan yihiin raashinkooda maalinlaha ah. Noloshu aad ayey noogu adag tahay, ”ayuu yidhi yiri mid ka mid ah ganacsatada qaatka.

Mr Bernard Mwiti, oo ah nin Beeraley ah, wuxuu sheegay inuu sameyn jiryay Sh500,000  seddex bilood ka hor, laakiin hadda si dhib yar ayuu ku heli karaa Sh50,000.

Ms Felicity Makena, oo ah Beerale kale, ayaa sheegtay in xiritaanka maamulka hawadda Soomaaliya ay saameyn xun ku yeelatay dhaqaalihii soo korayay.

“Waxaan ku amaaneynaa Madaxweynaha sharciga u aqoonsaday miraa inuu yahay dalag lacageed. Miraa waa isha koowaad ee dakhliga Kabuitu laakiin suuq la’aan, waynu xusuusan doonnaa. Madaxweynaha waa inuu si xawli ah ku socdaa si xaaladda loo badbaadiyo, ayay tiri Ms Makena.

Soomaaliya ayaa xirtay hawadeeda waxayna xayirtay duulimaadyo xamuul oo aan ka ahayn sahay caafimaad, dabayaaqadii bishii Maarso kadib markii la arkay kiiskii ugu horreeyay ee Covid-19.

Horraantii Juun, dawladda Soomaaliya ayaa lagu soo warramey in ay ruqsadii kala noqotay laba shirkadood oo tahriibinayay qaat xili lagu guda jiray xayiraada la saaray duulimaadyada.

Sida laga soo xigtay Ururka Ganacsatada Miraa, Soomaaliya waxay qaadataa ilaa 50 tan oo miraa maalin kasta oo lagu qiimeeyo Sh100 milyan.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Kenyan traders cry foul after Somalia bars khat

Miraa traders in Kenya are up in arms after Somalia turned back an aircraft that was delivering 13.6 tonnes of khat to Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway Somaliland region.

Nyambene Miraa Traders Association (Nyamita) chairman Kimathi Munjuri said the cargo plane was turned back on Saturday despite having received clearance to leave Nairobi and deliver the highly prized commodity to Hargeisa.

Hargeisa, a major consumer of Ethiopian khat, is experiencing a shortage of the stimulant due to ethnic unrest that has hit Ethiopia’s expansive Oromia region for the last five days.

Flight 5YMSA, which had overflight and landing clearance from Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority, turned back and landed at Wajir International Airport.

According to Somalia based news sites, the cargo plane was denied entry due to the country’s air travel restrictions in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Xigasho

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Meru miraa traders say Somalia flights ban ruining their business

Farmers who grow miraa varieties popular with the export market have decried harsh economic times following the suspension of international cargo flights into Somalia amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The farmers from lower lying parts of the Nyambene ranges In Meru County, particularly in Karama, Athiru, Kanjoo among others grow the ‘Grade’ or ‘Kiza’ variety which is exclusively meant for the Somalia market.

According to the farmers, the variety is preferred for export due to its succulent trait that enables it to remain fresh after several hours of transportation.

The variety is largely grown under irrigation.

Led by Nyambene Miraa Sacco Chairman Moses Lichoro, the farmers from Kabuitu in Igembe Central called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to engage his Somalia counterpart Mohamed Abdullahi for the resumption of cargo flights.

Mr Lichoro said farmers have run out of their savings after the ban, which is now in the third month, cut off their income.

He said since their miraa variety has no market locally, they have been forced to prune their trees and occasionally sell small amounts to local traders.

“We have drained our savings and now many farmers cannot afford a meal because we have nowhere to sell our miraa. The situation is dire and the President should move with speed to reopen the economy and engage our neighbours to allow cargo flights,” Mr Lichoro said.

He said more than 50 workers were being engaged on his miraa farms daily before Covid-19 shut the economy.

“Before the Covid-19 shutdown was declared, I would sell miraa worth more than Sh3 million every month. Over 50 people would earn wages from my farms but many of them are now jobless. Some of them are still relying on me for their daily subsistence. Life is too hard for us,” he said.

SALES DOWN

Mr Bernard Mwiti, a farmer, said he was making Sh500,000 in miraa sales three months ago but now he can hardly get Sh50,000.

Ms Felicity Makena, another farmer, said the closure of the Somalia airspace has had a major negative effect on the economy in miraa growing areas.

“We laud the President for the law that recognised miraa as a cash crop. Miraa is the primary source of income in Kabuitu but without a market, we will suffer. The President should move with speed to save the situation,” Ms Makena said.

According to Mr Lichoro, Nyambene Miraa Sacco, which has 1,200 members, has hit its lending limit due to increased borrowing from cash-strapped farmers.

Somalia closed its airspace and banned cargo flights apart from medical supplies, late March after recording its first Covid-19 case.

The trade with Somalia was further complicated by suspension of local flights in the neighbouring country.

Early June, the Somali government reportedly revoked the licences of two airlines for smuggling in miraa in the guise of medical supplies, as traders strived to beat the Covid-19 restrictions.

According to Nyambene Miraa Traders Association, Somalia takes in about 50 tonnes of miraa daily valued at about Sh100 million during the peak season.

- Daily Nation

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

DF Soomaaliya oo ‘hawada ka celisay’ diyaarad ka timid Kenya, kuna socotay P/land

Sida ay warisay warbahinta maxaliga ah ee dalka Kenya waxaa todobaadkan hawada Puntland ay dowladda Soomaaliya ka celisay diyaad sidday Qaadka nooca loo yaqaano Miirooga, taas oo ka soo duushay Nairobi, kuna soo jeeday gudaha magaalada Gaalkacyo, qeybta waqooyi oo ay maamushu Puntland.

Wararka ayaa sheegaya in maamulka hawada Soomaaliya uu ku amray diyaaraddaasi inta aysan dagin, ka hor inay dib ugu laabato halkii ay ka soo duushay oo ah Kenya.

Sidoo kale urur ay ku mideysan yihiin ganacsatada Qaadka Kenya oo ka hadlay tallaabadaasi ayaa sheegay in celinta diyaaraddan ay u gaysatay dhaawac dhaqaale.

Guddoomiyaha ururkan ayaa xusay in diyaaradda sidday xamuulka ee dib loo celiyey ay raacday qawaaniinta iyo qaab dhismeedka sharciyeynta, islamarkaana markii hore loo oggolaaday in ay geli karto hawada Soomaaliya, sida uu hadalka u dhigay.

Weli ma jiro wax hadal ah oo ka soo baxay dowladda Soomaaliya oo ku aadan arrinta diyaaraddaas iyo cabashada ka soo yeereysa ganacsatada Qaadka ee dalka Kenya

Bishii hore ayey aheyd markii hawada Soomaaliya laga celisay diyaarad Qaad sidday oo laga leeyahay dalka Kenya.

Si kastaba ha’ahaatee horey ganacsatada Qaadka Kenya aya sheegay inay lumiyeen illaa $ 80,000 kadib markii ay khasaare xoogan ay kala kulmeen xayiraadaha ay soo rogeen dowladaha Soomaaliya iyo Kenya ee ku aadan xakameynta cudurka faafa ee COVID-19.

Xigasho

_________________

Mahadsanidihiin inta ka qeybqaadatay go'aankaan ee ka tirsan dowladda dhexe.

[Peace Action]

The problem with these types of decisions is there is no consistancy and no long term vision of how to eradicate this Somali drug problem. Mark my words, this ban will not last because Somali politicians are addicted to the revenue generated by this drug, The best way to eradicated the consumption of Qat is to do the following:

1. Make it very expensive by taxing it to death

2. Start public campaign of the evils of Qat and that most Ulama consider it haram

3. Limit the sale to Friday and Saturday only.

4. Ban anyone eating Qat to be employed by the state (some private companies do that already)

5. Provide rehab and detox centers for drug addicts with funding from Qat taxes.

 

[Mastermind]

This ban is not going to last long so I don't think it is cause for celebration. It is just a short fix.

Having said that Covid 19 seems not to going away anytime soon so this is a good opportunity for Somali leaders to prolong the ban and encourage Somali Qat traders to look for  a substitute elsewhere.

 

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

18 hours ago, Peace Action said:

The problem with these types of decisions is there is no consistancy and no long term vision of how to eradicate this Somali drug problem. Mark my words, this ban will not last because Somali politicians are addicted to the revenue generated by this drug, The best way to eradicated the consumption of Qat is to do the following:

1. Make it very expensive by taxing it to death

2. Start public campaign of the evils of Qat and that most Ulama consider it haram

3. Limit the sale to Friday and Saturday only.

4. Ban anyone eating Qat to be employed by the state (some private companies do that already)

5. Provide rehab and detox centers for drug addicts with funding from Qat taxes.

 

Widaay, anything helps and this is a start. This is an opportunity and dowladda dhexe is taking every advantage of it because jaad has had a heavy special interest groups whose financial ties are too considerable both inside and outside the country.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Uproar as Somalia turns back another miraa flight

Miraa traders are up in arms after another plane ferrying 11 tonnes of the produce to Puntland in Somalia was turned back for allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions.

This is the second plane to be ordered back to Kenya by Mogadishu in a month. One ferrying 13 tonnes was denied entry early July.

Nyambene Miraa Traders Association Chairman Kimathi Munjuri protested the move, saying the cargo plane had complied with all rules and regulatory frameworks.

Mr Munjuri faulted the Kenyan government for what he termed as ignoring several pleas to engage the Somali government over the miraa trade suspension.

TRADE SUSPENSION

Somalia suspended Miraa trade in March as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, and the resumption of international flights on August 3 has excluded non-essential goods.

"The plane was carrying 11.3 tonnes of the highly valued Griid and Alele varieties of miraa to Puntland. It entered the Djibouti airspace by about 10am after flying over Ethiopia and was readying to land in Puntland when it was ordered back to Kenya. This is the second huge loss in one month," Mr Munjuri said.

He said the traders lost about Sh8 million in the arborted trade deal.

Mr Munjuri added: "It is painful because all the paperwork was right legally and procedurally." He decried an intensifying campaign by anti-khat crusaders to have miraa banned in Somalia.

MIRAA TAXES

The official added that there was a plot to hike miraa taxes once trade resumes in Somalia.

"We already have information that Mogadishu plans an exorbitant hike in taxes on miraa to $5 (Sh538) per kilo, which will push khat way out of the reach of most consumers. We have not been involved in any talks about this by Mogadishu," he said.

Marlier, Mr Munjuri decried the Foreign Affairs ministry’s slow pace of addressing the trade stalemate that has denied them access to the Somaliland market.

“We have even been trying to have the Somalia border reopened to facilitate trade but nothing seems to be moving. The Trade and Agriculture ministries have been engaging their Foreign Affairs counterparts on various issues. All miraa trade issues seem to be stuck at the latter” he said.

Anti-khat crusaders have taken advantage of the four-month trade suspension to argue their case on why the Somali government should ban it for good.

Kenya has been exporting about 50 tonnes of khat to Somalia, valued at close to Sh25 million daily.

Xigasho

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Kuukuuyadaan ma quustaan.

 

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Madaxweyne Farmaajo oo hakiyey go’aan ay Golaha Wasiirada ku fasixi lahayeen duulimaadyada Qaadka keena

Warar aan ka helnay illo xogogaal ah ayaa HOL u sheegay in Madaxweynaha Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo uu mary in la joojiyo go’aan ay Golaha Wasiirada xukumadda Soomaaliya ay xayiraadda uga qaadi lahaayeen shixnadaha Qaadka keena.  

Warkan ayaa soo baxay kadib shir ay golaha Wasiirada ee xilka sii haya ay maalinimadii Khamiistii aynu soo dhaafnay ay ku yeesheen caasimadda Muqdisho, kuwaas oo sida ay noo xaqiijiyeen xubno kullankaasi ka qeyb  galay inaan la shaacin go’aanka, balse uun waxyar kadib uu laalay Madaxweyne Farmaajo soo jeedinta Gollaha Wasiirada.  

Xogta ayaa sheegaysa in Madaxweyne Farmaajo uu ka gaws adeygay in xilligan la furo shixnadaha Qaadka keena Soomaaliya, midaas badalkeedana uu faray laamaha Dowladda inay inay illaa iyo amar dambe ay hakiyaan duulimaadyada Qaadka.  

Wararka ayaa intaas ku daraya ineysan hore u dhicin in Shirka Golaha Wasiirada looga doodo arrimo aanu ka war heynin Madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo, waxaana isweydiin mudan sida ay markiiba horeba ku suurtagashay in Golaha Wasiirada ay isku raacaan go’aan aan lagala tashanin madaxweynaha.  

Hakinta duulimaadyadda Qaadka keena Soomaaliya ayaa ku soo beegmaya xilli ay wali jiraan kiisaska xanuunka Corona Virus, iyo cabsida laga qabo inay kordhaan bukaanada u soo rito Covid-19.  

Madaxweynaha Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta ayaa isbucii la soo dhaafay ku dhawaaqay in bandowgii saarneyd Kenya lagu kordhiyey muddo bil ah, iyadoo talaabooyin horleh uu ku dhawaaqay oo lagu xakameyno faafitaanka Covid-19 ee dalkiisa.Dalka Qaadka ugu badan ayaa Soomaaliya uga yimaada wadanka Kenya, iyadoo qaadka ay u soo dhoofiyaan Kenyanka Soomaaliya ay uga soo xarooto Malaayiin Doolarka Mareykanka ah.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Kenyan Miraa Flights Reportedly Banned In Somalia

Kenyan khat (miraa) planes have reportedly been banned temporarily in Somalia, until Kenyan authorities allow commercial passenger flights from Somalia to land in the country.

Sources from Somalia indicate that the temporary ban was ordered by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo personally.

This now leaves Ethiopia as the biggest exporter of khat into the country, an industry that mints billions for Kenyan businesses.

On July 30, Kenya announced resumption of international passenger flights, announcing 11 destinations that left out its neighbours thought to be adversely affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

In a communiqué announced by Transport CS James Macharia, China,  South Korea, Japan, Canada, Uganda, France, Namibia,  Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Switzerland  and  Morocco who have mild and limited community transmission were allowed.

Somalia aims to use the move to arm twist Kenya to allow passenger flights from Somalia, just like it happened in Tanzania.

Last week, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General Hamza cancelled Kenya Airways’ (KQ) clearance to fly into the country, after they were left out in the list.

“The Authority regrets to inform you that, on a reciprocal basis, the Tanzanian Government has decided to nullify its approval for Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi and Dar/Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar effective August 1, 2020 until further notice,” the letter read in part.

Transport CS James Macharia was forced to announce that travellers from Tanzania would be allowed into Kenyan soil with immediate effect.

“Travelers from Tanzania can come in as early as today. We never stopped those flights. This very minor issue has been sorted out and we believe that if not today, by tomorrow we shall find Kenya Airways flying again to Tanzania,” said CS Macharia.

The impasse is yet to be resolved.

Xigasho

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

And the calaacal continues. What were these  Kiikuuyo farmers expecting, that this drug will be sustainable for the decades to come as in the decades past. I remember sidaan camal u calaacalaayeen when Reer Dutch banned it. When Ingiriiska banned it. They should have planned for long term after those two bans.

Miraa traders face bleak future as Somalia continue to lock them out

Miraa farmers and sellers are staring at a bleak future in the key Somalia market if the Kenyan government does not move with speed to resolve a trade impasse with its neighbour.

The hope of resumption of the trade in the biggest market crashed after Somalia exempted miraa from cargo allowed into the country after international flights resumed on August 3.

Their hope was further dimmed after a delegation of traders and transporters dispatched to engage the Somali government last failed to unlock the impasse after officials demanded government-to-government talks.

The trade in Somalia is also facing headwinds from anti-miraa crusaders who have taken advantage of the suspension induced by Covid-19 to intensify their campaign for a permanent ban.

Goods from Somalia

Traders who spoke to the Nation said their delegation was informed that the continued suspension of miraa was due to Kenya’s stance on goods from Somalia, coupled by Kenya Airways’ failure to resume flights to Mogadishu.

According to Maua town miraa traders’ chairman Mohamed Qureshi, their delegation met government ministers and were upbeat they would resume business this week.
“However, President Mohamed Farmaajo rejected our request to lift the suspension of miraa trade. We are aware that the decision is not because of Covid-19 but due to Kenya’s recent hard stance on imports from Somalia."

"Recently, a lot of rice, sugar and fish from Somalia has been destroyed by Kenyan officials,” Mr Qureshi said.

Alternative businesses

He said traders who have been relying on the Somalia market are now considering venturing into alternative businesses to earn a living.

“Since miraa was suspended in Somalia four months ago, some traders in Maua town are relying on well-wishers to survive. The situation is dire. The government should do something before we lose the only surviving market,” he pleaded.

Nyambene Miraa Traders Association (Nyamita) Chairman Kimathi Munjuri accused the government of ignoring their pleas to intervene in Somalia, leading to loss of livelihoods.
He confirmed that their last-ditch effort of sending a delegation of traders to Somalia has not borne fruit.

Talks with Somalia

“We reached out to the government way back in April to initiate talks with Somalia about the resumption of miraa trade. We were told that due to the inter-ministerial nature of the issue, it would be discussed in the Cabinet and a way forward given. We are shocked that nothing was done until Somalia extended the suspension of miraa business,” Mr Munjuri stated.
He said there was hope for resumption of trade this week after the Finance ministry released guidelines for miraa traders but the President rejected the proposal on Friday.
Nyambene Miraa Sacco Chairman Moses Lichoro said farmers will soon take to the streets to protest over the government’s silence.
“Farmers who grow the varieties meant for the Somalia market have lost millions of shillings in the last four months. We will be holding demonstrations until the government listens to us,” Mr Lichoro said.

Anti-miraa crusaders

The Covid-19 pandemic has become a blessing in disguise for anti-miraa campaigners who are now hoping the suspension is not lifted.

“Before Covid-19 came, there were attempts by the government in Somalia to start rehabilitating khat chewers and help traders venture into alternative businesses to prepare ground for a ban,” Mr Qureshi said.
Traders have been using road and the sea to deliver about two trucks of miraa which has turned out to be expensive.

A trader said it costs about Sh1.5 million to deliver miraa cargo by boat to Mogadishu, a journey that takes 11 days.

According to data from the Ministry of Finance in Somalia, miraa was the third largest local revenue earner for the country in 2019 at USD16.6 million (Sh1.79 billion) in import tax.

By May this year, the country had earned USD4.82 million (Sh521 million) from miraa imports.

Daily Nation