Miraa most taxed crop, says Uhuru taskforce

Miraa is the most taxed crop in Kenya, a taskforce appointed by the President has concluded.

“We calculated how much miraa traders pay to the government and it came to Sh1.6 million a year per businessman,” Miraa Task Force chairman Geoffrey Nchooro M’mwenda said.

Presenting a copy of the report to Meru County Assembly speaker Joseph Kaberia, Mr Nchooro said the Sh1bn set aside by the government will be used to register miraa farmers, implement the report and establish and fund a Miraa Research Institute.

He said the team is set to conduct a research that will help map out all miraa growing areas to determine the extent and coverage of the crop to identify the varieties that are suitable for different soil types, different regions, agronomic requirements, pests and disease resistance and other pests.