What recent diplomatic tension between Kenya and Somalia mean to daily Ksh40m Miraa business

Khat is popular in Somalia but it is grown in Ethiopia and Kenya.

Hundreds of Kenyans, including farmers, could be affected by the recent decision by the government which has recalled its ambassador in Mogadishu and ordered Somali envoy out of the country over alleged auctioning of oil and gas blocks in Kenya’s maritime territorial area that borders Somalia.

More than 15 cargo flights full of khat arrive in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, every day from Kenya. According to Somali anti-khat campaigner Abukar Awale, they bring in about 12,000 bags of khat a day, which have a total retail value of $400,000 (Ksh 40,000,000).

Mr Awale, a former khat addict, argues that to respond to Kenya’s disproportionate behaviour by cutting all services including flights from Somalia to Kenya, penalising Somali citizens and their daily services; Somalia should respond robustly in kind by stopping all Khat importation into Somalia from Kenya.

The planes from Kenya arrive in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, in the morning and the leafy stimulant, which is not cheap, is usually chewed after lunch, mainly by men, in the afternoon and into the evening.

The Kenyan government has in the past pledged to support the growers of khat, which is also known as miraa in Kenya, after it was banned in much of Europe.

Khat is also banned in a number of other countries, including the US and Canada.

‘ACT OF AGGRESSION’

The auction took place in London, United Kingdom, last week, Foreign Affairs PS Macharia Kamau said Saturday.

Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo was summoned back to Nairobi for urgent consultations.

Kenya’s sea boundary dispute with Somalia has been simmering for years. In 2014, Somalia sued Kenya at the International Court of Justice asking for a proper determination of the sea border between the two countries. The case is still pending. ICJ judges allowed the case to go to full hearing despite Kenya opposition. Nairobi wanted alternative dispute resolution.

“By carelessly ignoring the internationally acceptable norms of boundary dispute resolution and or political and diplomatic disagreements, the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia has once again demonstrated that it has yet to attain and embrace the political maturity and diplomatic stance of a normal, well adjusted, and properly functioning modern government,” PS Kamau said.

“This unparalleled affront and illegal grab at the resources of Kenya will not go unanswered and is tantamount to an act of aggression against the people of Kenya and their resources.

“This outrageous and provocative auction deserves and will be met with a unanimous and resounding rejection by all Kenyans as well as all people of goodwill who believe in the maintenance of international law and order and the peaceful and legal resolution of disputes,” the PS Kamau said.

 

Khat – its effects and risksImage result for miraa farming

1.The two main stimulants in khat speed up the user’s mind and body, like a less powerful amphetamine
2.It makes people happy and talkative but can cause insomnia and temporary confusion
3.Chewed for a few hours it leaves users with a feeling of calm, described by some as “blissed out”
4.The drug could make pre-existing mental health problems worse and it can provoke feelings of anxiety and aggression
5.It can also inflame the mouth and damage teeth, and there are concerns about the long-term risk of mouth cancers.

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