Kenya to sign Khat deal with Somalia

Khat is a mildly narcotic leaf popular in Somalia [Getty Image]

NAIROBI, Kenya - The government of Kenya is set to sign the Khat deal with Somalia, in a milestone geared towards pushing social-economic transformation in the Horn of Africa, directly impacting thousands of farmers who rely on the cash crop for survival.

Kenya is the major Khat (Miraa) trader in Somalia, with the country generating millions of dollars from the trade. However, in recent years, the two countries have struggled to trade due to restrictions imposed from either side, related to the politics of the region.

Mithika Lintur, Kenya's minister for Agriculture, announced that Kenya will sign a miraa deal with Somalia next month on May 8, to ensure steady economic benefits and provide a legal framework for the khat trade.

In his address, Linturi noted that the cash crop is the backbone of the economy in Meru, which contributes significantly to the livelihood of many residents in the county. Somalia is the major importer of the crop which does well in Eastern Mt. Kenya.

The CS was speaking at Thamare Primary School in Igembe Central Sub-county during the burial of the two daughters of the Deputy Speaker of Meru County Assembly and Njia Ward member of the County Assembly, Ali Mwenda, who were involved in a grisly road accident on April 2, which claimed the lives of the two angels and left their father on a wheelchair.

Linturi was flanked by the Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Kathuri Murungi, former Meru County Governor, Peter Munya; Igembe Central Member of Parliament, Dan Kiili; Meru County Deputy Governor, Mutua M’Ethingia; and several members of the Meru County Assembly, among other dignitaries.

Last year, Kenya intended to open the border with Somalia to make the trade easier but increased Al-Shabaab activities forced the country to reconsider the decision, awaiting stability along the border. The border has been closed for over 10 years.

Fundamentally, Kenya Airways opened the Mogadishu route recently, over two years after direct flights were canceled due to security plans.

Kenyan President William Ruto and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have been in direct talks as they push for the revival of trade between the two countries.

GAROWE ONLINE