Download Miraa now a cash crop as President signs Bill

Saturday Nation
Date: 23.04.2016
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Miraa now a cash crop as President signs Bill
Meru leaders happy
with move that will
cushion farmers after
it was banned in the
UK and Netherlands
BY AGGREY MUTAMBO
AND AGNES ABOO
President Uhuru Kenyatta ment can establish mechanisms According to President Keny­ and the chairman of Meru
last evening announced for its production, promotion, atta, the Cabinet was last week Parliamentary Group Mithika
instructed to include the alloca­ Linturi thanked the President.
his government will marketing and distribution.
"This historic law will also tion for supporting cash crops
cushion miraa farmers from
"We are happy with your
the shocks of an international give the crop the foundation in budgetary allocations during government for addressing the
ban, moments after he signed of recognition in formal gov­ discussions in Naivasha.
development concerns of the
into law a Bill to categorise the ernment structures," said the
Yesterday, the President said Meru people," the leaders told
President in a statement.
the funds would be channelled the President.
stimulant as a cash crop.
The decision to allocate Shi
Cord leader Raila Odinga had,
through the Agriculture ministry
and directed its Cabinet secre­ during the governors' forum in
billion to farmers follows pres­
was a positive step
sure from Meru leaders who
tary to discuss the disbursement Meru, urged the government to
for farmers but the
tush Western nations to lift the
mode with Meru leaders.
demanded action after the crop
was banned in the UK and the
President needs to
In the wake of the ban, farm­ •an on miraa.
ers have been forced to rely on
Netherlands two years ago.
work on how to end the
markets in Somalia and the Mid­
He signed a series of amend­
ban on the crop in some
die East but face competition
ments, which partly changed the
western countries"
from Yemen.
Crops Act to include miraa as
Peter Munya, Meru
Yesterday, Meru Senator
a cash crop.
Including miraa in the Act
The money may be available Kiraitu Murungi, Woman Rep­
means the national govern­ from the next financial year. resentative Florence Kajuju
Signing the Bill
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
Saturday Nation
Date: 23.04.2016
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PHOEBE OKALL I NATION
PHOEBE OKALL I NATION
Mr Paul Magori, a soapstone artiste displays his work at the Kisii
stall during the devolution conference at the Meru polytechnic
yesterday.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri (left), his Water
counterpart Eugene Wamalwa (centre) and Meru Governor Peter
Munya chat yesterday at the close of the conference.
From left: Mom­
basa Deputy
Governor Hazel
Katana, Uasin
Gishu Governor
Jackson Mandago,
Council of Gov­
ernors Chairman
Peter Munya and
Elgeyo­Marakwet
Governor Alex
Tolgos take to the
floor in a dance
during the devolu­
tion conference in
Meru yesterday.
JOSEPH KANYI I
NATION
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
Saturday Nation
Date: 23.04.2016
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Article size: 644 cm2
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PHOEBE OKALL I DAILY NATION
Delegates at the Meru polytechnic during the closing of the third annual devolution
conference yesterday.
JOSEPH KANYI I
NATION
Delegates help
themselves to
food during the
second day of the
devolution confer­
ence in Meru on
Thursday evening.
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya