By Tukio News Reporter
The Government wants Miraa farmers to be poor so that they can dance to its tune politically when the right time comes. This is according to Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi.
Speaking to his constituents, Mwirigi wondered how members of public are told that the Kenyan Government is engaging the Somali government to reopen the miraa market, yet they are not told where the process has reached.
Mwirigi feels that although miraa was gazetted as a cash crop, it has not been fully recognized, and that is why its businesspeople are being harassed now and then even within Kenyan airports.
Mwirigi cited the recent arrest of two miraa businesspersons at JKIA with the commodity as a clear indicator that the crop is yet to be recognized by the government as a cash crop just like tea and coffee.
“Nobody should cheat you that the government has interest with the crop. We are being told that there is a process being followed yet we are not told where the process has reached,” Mwirigi argued.
Two weeks ago, deputy president Dr William Ruto, said that the closure of miraa market in Somalia is as a result of the border dispute with Kenya.
He also revealed that in Somalia, leaders are currently in political mood and that is why the engagement with the Kenyan government has not born any fruits.
He promised that as soon as politics come to an end and government is put in place, the market is likely to be reopened.
His words were echoed by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya who said that the discussion concerning the issue between Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry and their Somali counterparts were at an advanced stage.
This comes at a time when miraa traders and farmers have vowed to stage demonstrations until the government comes out clear on where it has reached regarding negotiations to reopen the miraa market.
Isiolo miraa businessmen have been complaining over poor sales of miraa since the Somali market was closed.
They are fearing that they might not be able to take their children back to school once the institutions are reopened.
They want president Kenyatta to move with speed and find solution for the issue as losing the market during Covid-19 period has worsened the situation.
Somalia was the major market that miraa dealers had after they lost the United Kingdom market over seven years ago.
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