By Manase Otsialo
Miraa trade between Mandera and the neighbouring autonomous Jubaland state is going on normally despite the flights ban imposed by the Somali government.
Mandera Miraa Traders Association chairman Mohamed Abdi said it is business as usual between Mandera and Bula-hawa, Damasa and Borache in Jubaland.
The towns, which are near the Kenya-Somalia border, get daily miraa supplies from Mandera-based traders.
"We are receiving miraa from Maua in Meru County and supplying it to our customers in Somalia without any problem," he said.
"The flight ban has only affected plane transport to Mogadishu but our vehicles are transporting [miraa] to our customers across the border," he said.
Mandera gets three truck-loads of miraa from Maua daily, with each vehicle loaded with 1,500 kilogrammes or more of the crop.
SH3M DAILY
"We sell locally at Sh700 per kilo and Sh800 per kilo to clients in Somalia. The three vehicles make around Sh3.1 million daily," he said.
According to Mr Abdi, the flight ban is an unfair treatment to those depending on the crop for their livelihoods.
"Miraa has opened opportunities to many people locally and if totally banned, then it will leave many jobless," he said.
He, however, cited insecurity as the main challenge affecting miraa trade in the area, saying militants lay ambushes targeting their vehicles.