Kenyan khat exports to Somalia to resume – minister

Kenya’s agriculture minister says Kenyan exports of the narcotic leaf khat to Somalia will resume following talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The ban on the trade in recent years had a big impact on Kenyan farmers.

Minister Peter Munya told reporters that the exports will start again in a fortnight when the two leaders will sign a formal trade agreement.

Direct flights between the two countries are also due to resume to allow the product to be flown directly to Somalia, he said.

Khat leaves are chewed to produce a mild stimulating effect and is popular especially in the Somali, Ethiopian and Yemeni communities.

In Kenya, it is mainly grown in the central county of Meru and neighbouring regions.

The economic fortunes of the Kenyan farmers were significantly affected by the export restriction amid soured relations between Kenya and Somalia.

Kenya has been hoping to reset ties with the new administration after the relations hit a record low point under the presidency of Mr Mohamud’s predecessor.

Mr Mohamud became Somalia’s president last month.

By BBC