Investors to lobby for lifting of Miraa ban by UK

The British Chambers of Commerce will lobby the United Kingdom to review its year-long ban on Miraa.

This was said by the association’s chairman Graham Shaw during the Meru International Investment Conference which begun Thursday.

Meru Governor Peter Munya has urged the government to reach out to neighbouring countries to create new markets for Miraa.

It has been a year since the UK government imposed a ban on Miraa, after reclassifying it as a class “C” drug alongside tranquilisers and steroids.

That move jolted the Khat market, resulting in a Miraa supply glut that not only pushed down Miraa prices but also the livelihoods of hundreds of Miraa farmers in Meru County.

Governor appealed to Deputy President William Ruto for intervention to ensure the Miraa market is re-opened and new market reached as well.

“There is a Miraa market in Congo, Somaliland, and Ethiopia. Kenya interacts with these countries, kindly intervene,” Munya told the Deputy President.

That appeal also got the attention of the Kenyan Chapter of the British Chamber of Commerce.

The association’s chairman, Graham Shaw offered to use his influence to push for a reconsideration of the Miraa ban.

“On reconsideration of the ban, we will talk to our government to look into it,” said Mr Shaw.