Miraa traders are warming up to resume cross border trade in Somalia after the National Security Council (NSC) approved the reopening of the Kenyan border.
The decision by the council brings an end to the 15-year old order that led to the closure of the boundary.
However, the move has been received with mixed reactions with a section farmers and traders citing insecurity.
Igembe Miraa Farmers and Pluckers Welfare Association patron Mr Adamson Muriki and the chairman Mr Japhet Karuiru poured cold water on the developments terming road transport unsafe.
"When we met the Somali ambassador to Kenya in the company of Meru governor Isaac Mutuma, we were informed that systems were being put in place to secure road users. No arrangements are yet to be made to ensure transporters are safe once they cross the border," Mr Karuiru said.
Mr Muriki said an attempt by traders to use the Kiunga border point, a week ago, led to losses due to safety concerns.
"Why is Kenya opening the border yet they know it is not safe to enter Somalia by road? Traders who attempted ferrying miraa to Somalia via Kiunga lost their consignment after it went bad. They could not reach the market due to insecurity. The president should come out clearly and explain the security measures put in place to secure transporters," Mr Muriki said.
While the association is also recommending the operalisation of Isiolo airport for air cargo handling, Mr Muriki said the government should license more miraa air carriers including resumption of KQ flights to Mogadishu.
A trade displays packaged bundles of miraa.
Photo credit: File I Nation Media Group
Over the years, miraa traders have been imploring the government to reopen the trading routes - appeals that were rejected severally.
A letter addressed to Nyambene Miraa Trade Association (NYAMITA), Internal Security and National Administration PS Raymond Omollo stated: "The National Security Council ratified the reopening of our border with Somalia for cross border trade at the specified border points of Mandera, Liboi and Kiunga specifically for transportation of Miraa by road to Somalia."
The association's chairman Kimathi Munjuri said the reopening of the border would positively impact miraa trade through increased exports.
"When the borders were open, we used to transport atleast 20 tonnes of miraa worth about Sh5 million daily. These gains dwindled with the closure and entry of a cartel that demands hefty commissions at the airport," Mr Munjuri said.
He said the reopening of the Somalia border points for trade would also distabilise cartels that have held the business hostage for five years. The faceless cartel, which the government has denied being aware of, is paid up to USD9 upfront at the airport.
"The cartels have no way of extending their terror to the traders moving Miraa into Somalia by road and sea. Their tool has been full control on issuance of permission letters to air carriers transporting Miraa into Somalia airspace," he said.
Mr Munjuri said following the communication from the ministry of Interior, transporters would immediately commence the cross-border trade.
The developments come days after Meru governor Isaac Mutuma assented to the Meru County Miraa Promotion Act, 2025 that enables the devolved unit to enforce miraa regulations.
Under the new act of the county assembly, Miraa nursery operators, growers associations, aggregators, transporters, importers, exporters and vendors must be duly registered and recognised by the county government.
The county government's agriculture department will now keep tabs on production, harvesting, packaging and transportation of the produce, ensuring stakeholders adhere to food handling standards from the farm to the market.
