Kenya reopens land border with Somalia for miraa trade after 15 years

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has officially reopened its land border with Somalia for the cross-border trade in miraa, or khat, ending a 15-year suspension in what officials described as a landmark decision for regional commerce.

The move, approved by Kenya’s National Security Council, is expected to significantly boost the khat trade, particularly benefiting farmers and traders in the eastern Meru region, where the stimulant leaf is widely grown.

Border points reopened for trade include Mandera, Liboi, and Kiunga, allowing Kenyan miraa to be transported by road into Somalia. The decision ends years of reliance on costly air shipments from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a system traders say drove up prices and left the sector vulnerable to cartels that dominated exports.

The Nyambene Miraa Farmers and Traders Association welcomed the decision, calling it bold and long overdue. Its chairman, Kimathi Munjuri, said that before the closure, more than 20 tonnes of miraa were exported daily, valued at about 5 million Kenyan shillings ($39,000).

Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority said the government is implementing security measures to ensure the safety of traders and their cargo during transportation. Further details on the implementation of the new measures will be announced soon, Director General Bruno Linyiru said.

Somalia is the largest export market for Kenyan miraa, and the reopening is expected to revive a trade that supports thousands of livelihoods on both sides of the border.

GAROWE ONLINE