By John Majau
The County Government of Meru has allocated Sh5 million to Nyambene Miraa Sacco to be loaned out to more than 3800 members across Igembe and Tigania regions.
Deputy Governor Ntuchiu said the move is meant to cushion Miraa farmers from adverse effects of closure of their market in Somalia and the COVID-19 pandemic third wave.
The County Government issued the cheque through the Meru Microfinance to Sacco officials who were led by Miraa Stakeholders Chairman Moses Ntoachoro.
Ntuchiu said they will dispatch officers from Meru Microfinance to Muriri, Mikinduri, Maua and Laare markets to educate members on financial literacy and discipline.
He said the team will also do capacity building for them to access other financial facilities being offered by the County government including SME loans.
Ntuchiu said the SME loans will be given through the recently launched Meru County Post-COVID-19 Recovery Strategy for SMEs.
He reiterated that the County government is working closely with President Uhuru Kenyatta and the National Government through the Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Enterprise Development to comprehensively address challenges in the Miraa market by seeking new markets in countries such as Djibouti and Mozambique among others.
He said they are also organizing the Meru County Miraa Conference where authorities such as KEBS, NACADA and others will be actively engaged by Miraa Stakeholders.
That will help lift any restrictions and regulations which could be hindering research and development of Miraa products for export such as Miraa gum, Miraa wine and Miraa sweets among others.
The Meru Miraa Conference has been postponed due to the ongoing upsurge of the third wave of Covid-19.
