Government Announces New Miraa Prices After Protests

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, through the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), has announced revised prices of miraa.

According to a statement released on Saturday, grade 1 miraa will go for Ksh1,300 per kilogram in the new market, up from Ksh700. Grade 2 will now cost Ksh700 per kilogram from ksh350 while Alele will go for ksh1,000 from ksh500. 

As per the statement from the Agriculture Ministry, these prices take effect immediately.

The new prices were set by the Miraa Pricing Committee after considering the submissions by the farmers and traders.

Government’s Efforts to Promote Miraa Farmers

In the statement dated February 15, 2025, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe promised to address the market access challenges to expand on export opportunities in our current and new markets.

The Miraa Pricing Formula Committee was established pursuant to provisions of regulation 29 of the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023 with an objective of providing advisory to the industry of the pricing of Kenyan miraa. In executing its duties, the committee reviews production data, cost, supply and demand among other parameters to advise the sub-sector. 

Also Read: Muguka Ban: Blow to Farmers as UDA MP Starts Process of Reclassifying Miraa

Miraa farmers in Meru County have in the past decried various challenges including plummeting prices. Some counties in Kenya have also amended by laws to enforce a ban on the stimulant, a move that has threatened to cripple Miraa farming.

In response, the farmers have taken measures including boycotting Miraa harvesting to highlight their plight and demand systemic changes.

The Miraa farmers had announced a boycott due to unfavorable market conditions, including drastic price variations. 

Also Read: Tough Rules to Regulate Miraa Sale & Use Adopted

This prompted the convening of the Miraa Policy meeting which brought together Meru County leaders, including MPs, the Senator, and the Governor. A second meeting was also convened bringing together exporters and farmers’ representatives.

The meetings focused on prices, declining export markets, particularly to Somalia, and the financial strain on farmers. In a statement, Water CS Eric Mugaa assured farmers that the new prices are just a short-term solution to their concerns, assuring that long term measures would be taken.

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