Uhuru's Sh1 billion to cushion miraa growers

MERU: President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday announced a Sh1 billion budgetary allocation to cushion miraa growers against aftershocks of the European ban.

The President also signed into law a Bill that categorises miraa as a cash crop, a move that he hopes will boost his popularity ahead of the General Election.

He made the announcement at State House, Nairobi accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto and other key leaders from Meru County. The President had invited Meru political leaders to witness the signing of the Miraa Bill.

Coincidentally, as the President was making the announcement, Opposition leader Raila Odinga was in Meru County for the ongoing Devolution Conference. Uhuru appeared to attempt to steal the thunder from the former Prime Minister who has been vocal calling for the government’s intervention to save miraa farmers.

Raila was quoted saying the government had an obligation to negotiate with the European countries that had banned the stimulant.

At a previous engagement, Raila is said to have pitched for the lifting of the miraa ban in Tanzania during a courtesy call on President John Magufuli. He has however not confirmed nor denied the talks.

HOT ISSUE

Interestingly, Governor Peter Munya who is hosting the Devolution Conference, was absent from the State House meeting.

The timing of the meeting between Kenyatta, Meru MPs and Members of the County Assembly raised eyebrows as it happened when Munya was hosting a high profile national function.

According to a dispatch by the President’s Press team, Kenyatta instructed the Cabinet that discussed government budgetary priorities to include the funds to support miraa like other cash crops.

The amended Crops Act opens doors for the crop to benefit from government budgetary funding.

The Act obligates the National Government to establish mechanisms for promotion, production, distribution and marketing of miraa as a cash crop.

The historic assent, gives legal backing for farmers and traders to grow, harvest and sell miraa produce in the country without hindrances.

Kenyatta said the funds would be availed through the ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett was directed to engage with the Meru leadership to forge a mode of disbursement.

The President regretted the troubles farmers went through since the ban and assured that the Government would do everything to ensure they reap maximum benefits from their produce.

“This historical law we have signed today gives miraa the legal backing as a cash crop. It also gives the crop recognition in formal government structures,” he said.

At the same time, President Kenyatta announced formation of a new task force to look into the ills afflicting the miraa sub-sector and make recommendations.

DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

The old task force was disbanded after Meru leaders moved to court.

Also present at the meeting was Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, Women Rep Florence Kajuju and the chairman of Meru Parliamentary group Mithika Linturi who thanked the President for the efforts to revive the miraa sub-sector.

“We are happy with your government for addressing the development concerns of the Meru people in terms of infrastructure development, construction of dams and issuance of title deeds,” said Linturi.

President Kenyatta said while leaders have a right to exercise competitive politics, they should tell Kenyans the truth for the sake of unity and tangible development.

He said the Jubilee government remain committed to fulfilling its development pledges to Kenyans and will not be distracted by empty rhetoric. “What is it that the Opposition is promising to do now that they failed to deliver while in Government? They should stop cheating Kenyans,” the President said.

Ruto expressed Jubilee government’s commitment to resolve all development challenges facing Meru region. The Deputy President told county governments to ensure prudent use of public funds saying accountability is not negotiable.

Other leaders who attended the meeting are Leader of Majority in National Assembly and Senate Aden Duale and Kithure Kindiki respectively. Despite being absent in the State House event, Munya welcomed the signing of the Bill and the special fund saying it would go a long way in helping miraa farmers.

ENGAGE DIPLOMATICALLY

Speaking on the sidelines of the third devolution conference that came to a close yesterday, Munya said it was a move in the right direction.

“This is a very good development, and we are grateful for the President for coming to the aid of miraa farmers. But we still insist that the ban of the crop in European markets should be viewed as a trade dispute by the Kenyan Government.

It is not fair for them to lock our goods from their markets, yet we allow theirs into Kenya freely,” said Mr Munya. Munya went on: “But the Crops Act that now recognises miraa as a cash crop, does not solve the fundamental issues regarding the crop. Recognising it as a cash crop is a step in the right direction, but what is needed is for the National Government to engage diplomatically with countries that have banned it.”

Munya pointed out that another solution is to address the problem of markets for miraa growers.

Preparations for the State House meeting started on Thursday and was the talk of Meru that evening.

That day, at 2pm MCAs from the county received communication from Assembly Speaker Joseph Kaberia informing them to attend a meeting with the Head of State.

“We were not told of the agenda of the meeting but when the President asks for our presence we must oblige, so we had to excuse ourselves from the conference.

We are happy that the President has intervened to help miraa growers, because they were on the verge of giving up on the Jubilee Government,” said MCA Eunice Karena (Njia ward).