The Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Industry and Cooperative Mr. Peter Munya has revealed that the Government of Kenya (GoK) is working to secure more African markets for the miraa crop.
Speaking in the Igembe region, Mr. Munya said the government was working to have the miraa sold in the East African community countries, and others.
“We have put money in the miraa industry. We are looking at additional markets. We are going to Mozambique and DR Congo. We want miraa to have markets in the East African Community and other markets,” the CS said.
The CS told residents that the cabinet had approved sending a commercial attache in Hargeisa in Somaliland, another market for the crop. This was after Somalia (Mogadishu) banned miraa in 2017 leading to a loss of over Kshs. 1 million.
“We are working to develop value chain of different crops, including miraa which is a scheduled crop, just like flowers, macadamia and other crops,” Munya said.
He said the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) board had been tasked with a responsibility of developing a standard for miraa, which will lead to attaining quality for export purposes.
“The challenge has been that there is no standard for miraa. The KBS has started work to develop a standard and strategic plan to secure markets in this region. We also want to expand foreign markets for miraa,” Munya said.
He said necessary infrastructure at Isiolo International Airport were being put in place, which will ease its transportation to Nairobi.
The CS was accompanied by EALA MP Mpuru Aburi, Meru County Assembly minority leader Ayub Bundi and over 10 Members of County Assembly.
