MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali Khat (Miraa) traders are threatening to stop importing the stimulant in apparent response to Kenya Khat farmers, who reportedly made similar threat.
The announcement was on Tuesday over strained relation between Somalia and Kenya.
The Federal government of Somalia has not yet weighed on the issue as it seeks diplomatic resolution with Kenya over recent tension.
Kenya’s Miraa farmers could lose 90 per cent of the market if the diplomatic spat between Kenya and Somalia is not resolved.
Somalia remains Kenya’s key miraa market, taking in about 50 tonnes of the commodity daily, according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
The miraa sold to Somalia is valued at more than Sh100 million per day.
The tension escalates Kenya recalled its ambassador to Mogadishu and ordered Somalia envoy in Nairobi to leave after an alleged auction of oil and gas blocks in maritime territorial areas claimed by both countries.
