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Kenya Finally Exports First Batch of Miraa to Somalia

BY Lynnet Okumu · July 25, 2022 10:07 am

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The ban led to a loss of more than 50 tones of Kenyan khat valued at more than 20 million shillings a day. It also affected the economy of the Mount Kenya region, especially Meru where the crop is mostly grown.

After a series of efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya finally exported the first batch of Miraa to Somalia on Sunday 24th July 2022.

According to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the move follows the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border after talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on July 16.

The two leaders agreed on the resumption of Kenya Airways flights to Mogadishu under an existing bilateral framework pending review.

The former Somali President Mohammed Farmaajo suspended Miraa imports from Kenya two years ago due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, the suspension was never lifted as diplomatic issues kicked in till recently.

Following the lifting of the ban last month, Miraa traders who have complied with the crop act 2021 will have a chance to export to Somalia directly from Isiolo airport.

The ban led to a loss of more than 50 tones of Kenyan khat valued at more than 20 million shillings a day. It also affected the economy of the Mount Kenya region, especially Meru where the crop is mostly grown.

According to the Ministry of Finance, in 2021, the import of Miraa contributed 1.3 billion shillings in tax to the country’s revenue.

So far 20 exporters have applied for export licenses in line with the Miraa regulation Act 2021, which requires them to be licensed and obtain a permit for every consignment.

The export to Somalia was expected to commence on July 5th but it was derailed by a lack of export certificates, which are supposed to be issued by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), as directed in the Crops (Miraa) Regulations Act 2021.

Over the year, Mogadishu has grown into a critical market for Kenyan Miraa traders accounting for 90 percent of the exports. Other markets include Mozambique, Djibouti, and Malawi.

Related Content: Miraa Traders To Get Export Permits from Friday

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