Kenyan planes transporting Miraa (Mairungi) to Mogadishu will resume today Wednesday following talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud today.
President Mohamud had stated that the trade and consumption of the stimulant had a “devastating” impact on Somalis hence the ban.
“We had a series of discussions and consultations and agreed to end the trade of the narcotic leaf,” said the president in June.
“We will first act by reducing its trade and finally put an end to it.”
However, the breakthrough came after President Kenyatta made a visit to Mogadishu, the first by a Kenyan Head of State in 30 years.
The change of position by the Somali government will be a major boost to Meru people, especially small scale miraa farmers who solely depend on the crop for their livelihood.
“This is a significant progress and we thank the leadership of Somalia,” President Kenyatta said after talks with President Mohamoud.
The two leaders also held bilateral talks on matters of mutual interest to the two countries.
President Kenyatta also secured an agreement from the Somali Government to allow Kenya Commercial Bank to open an office in Mogadishu before the end of the year.
The leaders also agreed that the two countries will continue their cooperation in security while Kenya will help Somalia strengthen its public service.
President Kenyatta also joined Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn for a special IGAD Summit in Mogadishu that discussed the progress Somalia has made towards peace and stability.
President Kenyatta was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale and Meru Women Rep Florence Kajuju who has been at the forefront in campaigning for the opening up of the Somalia miraa market.