Airstrip upgrade to boost miraa trade
A miraa farmer at Muringene market takes his produce for sale to Maua town in Igembe South district. Miraa traders in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties are gearing up for more profit margins, once the Isiolo Airport becomes a reality.
Miraa traders in Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties are gearing up for more profit margins, once the Isiolo Airport becomes a reality.
They are upbeat that the high cost of road transport to Nairobi will reduce drastically, as they start airlifting their produce both to local and foreign markets.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is currently upgrading the airstrip into a fully-fledged airport at the cost of Sh610 million.
The airport is among Vision 2030 projects, which will see Isiolo Town open up as a resort centre complete with casinos, international filming facilities and other amenities.
Sleeping economies
The amenities will jump-start the sleeping economies of neighbouring areas.
Miraa picking and packaging is rendered difficult since it is perishable and has to reach the market and be disposed of within 96 hours.
The region produces Kangeta, which is top-grade miraa and is mainly for export.
Other types include Gisa and Kolombo, which are consumed locally in Nairobi, Lamu and Mombasa.
The best quality of miraa comes from Nyambene Hills. Nyambene areas of Igembe and Ntonyiri produce over 80 per cent of the miraa consumed in Kenya and over 95 per cent of national exports.
