Uhuru Kenyatta finally unlocks two-year miraa ban with Somalia new government

The Somalia Government has finally lifted the ban on miraa, which has lasted for two years since the neighbouring country halted the importation of the product.

Somalia banned the importation of miraa when international flights were suspended in March 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This follows diplomatic talks that happened on Thursday between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The Agriculture CS Peter Munya confirmed that the export of miraa will resume in a fortnight’s time after the two Uhuru and Mohamud ink a formal trade deal.

Munya said that while addressing members of the press at Kaliati dispensary in Tigania West, Meru county where he is on a two-day tour to meet local farmers.

Apart from the resumption of the export of miraa, Munya also announced that direct flights between Kenya and Somalia will also resume on Tuesday.

A Kenyan diplomatic delegation led by Uhuru attended Mohamud’s inauguration in Mogadishu on Thursday and also sealed the trade talks.

Munya thanked Uhuru for the low-key diplomatic negotiations he had been having with the Somalian government that will benefit the Mt Kenya East farmers.

“We want to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for the diplomatic negotiations he has been carrying out quietly. The ban had greatly affected the economy of Mt Kenya East and the farmers’ earnings,” Munya said.

According to Munya, the talks were concluded and all that is remaining is the official signing of the trade deal that will see miraa being flown directly from Isiolo Airport and Somalia selling seafood and other items to Kenya.

Munya also said the new Somalia regime is committed to improving diplomatic ties with Kenya.

Another important bilateral air service agreement (BASA) will be signed on Tuesday on the sidelines of an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting that is scheduled for Tuesday in Kenya.