Miraa farmers have a reason to smile, after the government gave them Sh1.2 billion to boost their businesses.
The president’s directive to the treasury to release the money is a major boost in the miraa sector after Cabinet Sectreraty Henry Rotich while presenting the budget last week had allocated Sh1 billion for promoting the business.
“The money that was allocated will now be released and it will be used in accordance with the recommendations of the task force,” said the President.
While receiving a report from the task force that was formed to find ways of improving miraa business, the President added that the report should be adopted and implement within this year.
In the report presented to him at state house, by the task force he had formed, recommends for registration of the farmers and provide them with capital for starting miraa farming.
In September last year Somalia had threatened to re-impose a ban on miraa from Kenya after accusing the government of cancelling flights between Nairobi and Mogadishu.
Meanwhile the British government through High Commissioner Nick Hailey insists it will not lift the ban of miraa but has however said they will seek alternative livelihoods for miraa farmers in Meru County.