Elders to perform ritual to punish people behind miraa ban

Meru elders intend to perform a traditional ritual to curse individuals behind the ban of miraa cargo flights to Somalia.

They claimed that some politicians were behind the misfortune which has left many farmers and traders suffering.

On Tuesday, Somalia government announced the cancellation of flights that caught farmers and traders unaware.

Maua ward MCA Duncan Kangwana said the ban has dealt farmers a big blow.

If the ban is not lifted, he said, they would seek permission from Njuri Ncheke elders, who are the custodian of traditions in the community, to pronounce a curse.

The MCA said traders were sure politicians caused the ban for selfish reasons.

Nyambene Miraa Traders Association Chairman Miriti Ngozi said political leaders had a tendency of using the stimulant for political gain during the electioneering.

“It is high time we stopped this trend. We don't want people politicking with a crop that has been supporting the livelihoods of Nyambene people. Worse still, none of these politicians come up with a solution to the problem of lack of markets," he said.

The ban’s effect has trickled down to loaders, drivers and other suppliers.

Mr James Mugambi, a loader, said his family has been surviving on about Sh800 per day; now they depend on his meagre savings.

Governor Peter Munya's visit to Somaliland in July - where he is said to have asked officials to allow the sale of the stimulant in exchange for some sort of “recognition” for the breakaway state by the Kenyan government - is presumed to have triggered the action.

But Government Spokesperson Erick Kiraithe on Friday dismissed the claim arguing that foreign affairs matters are the preserve of the national government and governors have no role to play.

“The government recognises that a significant number of people enjoy the stimulant. No study has conclusively found that miraa is a narcotic. It is hypocrisy to purport to ban the miraa on this basis,” he said.

Somalia ambassador to Kenya Gamal Hassan had said Mr Munya’s visit to Hargeisa had led to political pressure which prompted his government to act.

He blamed the governor for linking the territorial integrity of the country to the miraa trade thus interfering with the nation's internal affairs.

Mr Kiraithe said that the State is engaging the Somalia government in addressing the matter.

Edited by Philip Momanyi