Following the resumption of Miraa exports to Somalia, Kenyan Miraa traders are protesting the exorbitant commissions they are being forced to pay to industry cartels.
On Friday, July 14, traders in Meru lamented that they had been forced to pay an extra Ksh636 per kilo to these clandestine cartels operating at Kenyan airports on top of legitimate freight charges for the past nine months.
Kimathi Munjuri, the Chairperson of the Nyambene Trade Association, confirmed this allegation, regretting that traders were still being exploited despite President William Ruto’s promise to rid the promising sector of cartels.
The chairperson advocated for the Miraa traders, calling for a change in light of the country’s difficult economic situation, which he claimed had a significant impact on the traders.
“The truth is uncomplicated. These punitive measures are imposed on our traders because the perpetrators are well aware that there are no other export destinations for our produce. “Somalia remains the primary country to which we export, and these individuals take advantage of this knowledge,” Munjuri said.
“Remember that miraa is a very perishable commodity, which is why our traders currently have no choice but to pay that $4.5,” he added.
Miraa traders from Meru County have called on the government to investigate the matter and bring the cartels to justice, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
