Tigania west MP wants Sh1bn miraa cash to cushion all producers

Mr Francis Kimori, chairman of Mbeere Muguka Sacco tends his crop at Kiamuringa, Embu County on May 4, 2016. Tigania West MP David Karithi says the Sh1 billion kitty should reach all growers from Tigania and Igembe in Meru County where the twig is highly grown. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Odinga and Meru ODM leaders blamed the Jubilee administration through Nacada for branding miraa a drug leading to its ban in Europe.
  • Unlike other cash crops where growers have organised groups, miraa producers have no formal grouping.
  • Tigania West MP David Karithi proposes formation of a Credit and Co-operative Society using the money and a a section of farmers are of the same view.

An MP wants a committee formed to deliberate on utilisation of Sh1 billion allocated to cushion miraa farmers from the ban of the commodity from the European market.

Tigania West MP David Karithi told the Sunday Nation that the team should bring together growers from Tigania and Igembe in Meru County where the twig is highly grown.

“The fund should take care of all producers,” he said.

Last month, a delegation from Meru region visited State House where President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the Fund and assented to the Bill that recognises miraa as a cash crop.

While Jubilee leaders from Meru region say the fund was a step in the right direction, the Opposition led by Cord Leader Raila Odinga and his lieutenants on the ground have termed it as too little.

ALLOW MIRAA TRADE

In a meeting in Maili Tatu in Meru last week, Mr Odinga said he held talks with Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli and a Bill is in Tanzania’s Parliament to allow miraa trade in neighbouring Tanzania.

Mr Odinga and Meru ODM leaders blamed the Jubilee administration through Nacada for branding miraa a drug leading to its ban in Europe and that the Kenyatta administration has failed to use diplomatic muscle to regain the market.

Concern by many is how the Sh1 billion should be utilised.

Unlike other cash crops where growers have organised groups, miraa producers have no formal grouping.

Mr Karithi proposes formation of a Credit and Co-operative Society using the money and a a section of farmers are of the same view.

Meru County Assembly Agriculture Committee chairman Chabari Kaumbuthu says there is need to first identify individual miraa growers.