Lobby criticises Uhuru’s move to set up Sh1bn miraa fund

Africa Disabled Network patron Mike Mutembei (right). He has criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta’s budgetary allocation of Sh1 billion to miraa growers saying it will not solve the crisis facing the sector. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  AGNES ABOO

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mutembei said the government should deal with legislative measures and address the lack of markets for the produce.
  • He added that the government needs to concentrate on negotiations to lift the ban in the European countries.
  • He accused a section of Meru leaders of allegedly pocketing the money.
  • Governor Munya said the government should have concentrated on legislative problems that will help in opening new markets for the product.

A lobby group has criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta’s budgetary allocation of Sh1 billion to miraa growers saying it will not solve the crisis facing the sector.

Speaking in Meru Town on Sunday, Africa Disabled Network patron Mike Mutembei said the government should deal with legislative measures and address the lack of markets for the produce.

“We agree that the president’s move is positive to miraa farmers but this is just a political scheme and not a solution to the problem facing the farmers since the United Kingdom’s ban of the produce to the country in 2014.

Also Read

“What farmers need is to find a stable market for the commodity for their future survival,” said Mr Mutembei, terming President Kenyatta’s move a political scheme ahead of the 2017 general elections.

He added that the government needs to concentrate on negotiations to lift the ban in the European countries.

Mr Mutembei also called on the government to intervene and find where Sh5 million raised by miraa farmers to file a case against the ban in London went.

ACCOUNT FOR MONEY

He accused a section of Meru leaders of allegedly pocketing the money.

“We want the president to question the leaders who were at State House during the signing of the Bill to account for the money that was raised by farmers to file a case in London that would have helped hasten the lifting of the ban,” he added.

The group said it will move to court to force the government to focus on finding market for the produce and not just giving hand-outs to farmers.

Meru Governor Peter Munya said the government should have concentrated on legislative problems that will help in opening new markets for the product.

“The president gave hope to the farmers by signing the Bill into law and allocating the funds but farmers need to get market for the produce,” said Governor Munya.

“Miraa farming is a key economic boost in Meru and also contributes greatly to the economy of the country so the government should concentrate on opening new markets and negotiating to have the ban lifted in Europe,” said Mr Munya.

In the headlines