Munya’s visit to Somaliland cause of Miraa ban – MP Linturi

Igembe South Member of Parliament, Mithika Linturi, has accused Meru Governor, Peter Munya, of contravening territorial authority and protocol when he visited Somaliland without notifying Mogadishu.

Speaking during a fundraiser at a Church in Njoune, Igembe Central on Sunday, September 18, Linturi said that State House spokesperson, Manoah Esipisu, was right to warn leaders – especially Governors – to respect territorial authority and protocol before visiting other countries.

Munya’s trip to Hargeisa, Somaliland, a breakaway state from Somalia, has been linked to the Miraa flights ban that had been imposed by Mogadishu.

The ban was, however, lifted on Wednesday, September 14 following a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud after an IGAD meeting.

Linturi accused Munya of “recognizing Somaliland as a state that could work closely with the Kenyan government.”

“He went overboard with his mandate, which should have been carried out by the Ppresident who is the Head of State and Government,” said Linturi.

Linturi also warned Munya to review his negotiation style saying that it has always caused conflict between his administration and the Miraa farmers.

In his Sunday briefing, Esipisu linked Munya’s trip to Somaliland to the Miraa ban by Mogadishu.

However, a highly placed source in one of the airlines transporting Miraa said that they had been advised to suspend the flights during the IGAD meeting for security reasons.

Written by Diing Magot