Kenya’s First Batch Of Miraa Set To Be Exported To Somalia

Kenya is set to export the first batch of miraa to Somalia, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has said. The authority said the resumption of exports followed efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the agency mandated to promote exports from Kenya, 22 of the traders who have been approved are set to receive their export licenses.

The move follows the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border after trade talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia on July 16.

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

“The two state leaders further agreed that Kenya Airways scheduled flights to Mogadishu will resume immediately based on the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). The agreement will be reviewed by the relevant authorities,” a communique following the talks in Nairobi read.

The joint commission for co-operation talks held in Mogadishu, saw President Kenyatta agree with President Hassan on resumption of Kenya Airways flights to Somalia’s capital under an existing bilateral framework and the resumption of miraa trade.

Former Somali President Mohammed Farmaajo suspended Miraa imports from Kenya two years ago, citing COVID-19 restrictions. However, the suspension was never lifted as diplomatic issues kicked in.

The ban led to a loss of more than 50 tonnes of Kenyan khat valued at more than Sh20 million a day. According to the Ministry of Finance, in 2021, the import of Miraa contributed Sh1.3 billion in tax to the country’s revenue.

Article By Sally Lizwa