A promising miraa export deal between Kenya and Djibouti is facing early uncertainties, as Kenyan traders struggle to meet certification requirements thus delaying access to a market worth over KSh20 million daily.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) recently announced that Kenya had secured approval to supply up to 20 tonnes of miraa per day to Djibouti. The deal, hailed as a breakthrough for farmers in Meru and Mt. Kenya East, materialized after months of diplomatic engagement, including a trade mission in October 2024 and a reciprocal visit by Djibouti officials.
But despite the fanfare, local exporters remain sidelined, according to the Nyambene Miraa Traders Association (Nyamita), the online registration portal provided by AFA only accepts applications from companies registered in Djibouti. Worse still, the portal’s interface is entirely in French, leaving Kenyan traders without guidance or access.
“Traders are ready, but the system is not,” said Nyamita chairperson Mutahi Munjuri. “The portal excludes Kenyan companies, and no AFA official is available to walk exporters through the process. We need clarity and support.”
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AFA Director General Brian Linyiru acknowledged the challenges, saying the authority is working closely with the Kenyan Embassy in Djibouti to resolve the issue. “The market remains open,” he said, “but exporters must meet Djibouti’s conditions. We’ll update stakeholders once the challenges are addressed.”
The Miraa Pricing Committee, which helped negotiate the deal, confirmed that exporters will be limited to one tonne each and must comply with ministry-set prices. Committee chair James Mithika emphasized that the agreement was hard-won and must be implemented with discipline and transparency.
For Meru farmers, the stakes are high. After years of declining access to European markets and over-reliance on Somalia that has left many vulnerable, the Djibouti deal was seen as a lifeline.
Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma welcomed the breakthrough, crediting President William Ruto’s administration for securing the market. “This is a major win for our farmers,” he said. “It reflects the president’s commitment to Meru and Mt. Kenya East. We must now focus on value addition and expanding miraa’s reach globally.”
As Kenya works to unlock the Djibouti gateway, hopes remain high that the deal could open doors to other Middle Eastern markets, if the certification hurdles are cleared in time.
By Masaki Enock
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