‘It’s not enough!’: Miraa farmers in Meru say price increase doesn’t cut it

The government increased Miraa prices to reflect the current market trends, with a kilogram of Grade 1 miraa costing Ksh.1,300 from Ksh.700. 

The price of Grade 2 miraa will now be Ksh.700 from Ksh.350. A kilogram of Alele will cost Ksh.1,000 from Ksh.500. 

However, Jacob Mantili, a miraa trader, said that while businesspeople appreciate the price increase, they want more reforms.

“We had agreed on more reforms, including the dismantling of cartels and monopoly in the business. All we know is that there are around six faceless traders who dominate the market and we cannot operate under such circumstances. It must be an open market,” he said on Monday.

Mantili alleged that the ‘faceless’ traders are foreigners who get permits under unclear circumstances.

He called for the revocation of suspect licences and fresh vetting to determine genuine traders.

Peter Munene, another miraa trader, said, “We thank the government for reviewing the prices, but more needs to be done to stop unscrupulous traders from dominating the market.”

He went on to urge the government to easen the rules around miraa, saying, “Some of the rules around transport of miraa need to be relaxed to make the business flow better.”

On his part, Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma said that residents were not satisfied with the price review, adding that more needs to be done.