Miraa industry players will have to wait longer for a forum expected to chart the crop’s future, with organisers postponing a planned exhibition to allow for broader consultations on market access, value addition and farmers’ earnings.
The Nyambene Miraa Trade Association (NYAMITA) chairman Kimathi Munjuri said the Miraa Exhibition and Holy Mass had been postponed to a date yet to be announced following consultations with Catholic Bishop of Meru Jackson Murugara.
In a notice, Munjuri said the extra time would help organisers broaden participation across faiths and turn the event into a practical platform for addressing challenges facing farmers, traders and exporters.
Miraa supports thousands of livelihoods across Meru and neighbouring counties, but the industry continues to grapple with market access, competition from Ethiopian khat, fluctuating prices and limited value addition.
Kenya relies heavily on traditional export destinations, particularly Somalia, leaving traders exposed to disruptions in established markets. Industry players have also called for investment in processing and new markets to improve returns to farmers.
NYAMITA said the expanded exhibition would bring stakeholders together to explore investment, sustainability and opportunities to create more wealth from the crop.
“This is not a cancellation, but a strategic postponement to allow us to build a bigger, more inclusive and more impactful event worthy of the miraa community and its future,” the association said.
The decision followed discussions with Bishop Murugara on opening the event to people of different faiths, making it a unifying occasion for the miraa community.
Be the First to Comment