Ban on miraa to stay, says British High Commissioner

The British government will not lift the ban of miraa, High Commissioner Nick Hailey has said.

Mr Hailey has, however, assured that UK government will seek alternative livelihoods for farmers in Meru County.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Deputy Governor Raphael Muriungi and County Commissioner Wilfred Nyakianga, Mr Hailey further said his government was awaiting a report of a taskforce on the ban appointed by President Kenyatta.

The report is complete but is yet to be handed over to the President.

The Deputy Governor observed that miraa is the mainstay of the region and said farmers are suffering after the ban. “The ban is a big issue and since Britain is a friendly nation we would like it to rescue our farmers,” Muriungi said.

The commissioner also revealed that the British Government has donated Sh1.5 billion towards the General Election.

He said his government is urging Kenyans to shun violence, rigging and other electoral malpractices during and after the election. Hailey has also urged stakeholder to embrace processes that ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

“The British government has donated Sh1.5 billion towards a free, fair and credible election. We are pleased the process is going on well,” he said yesterday.

He has also called on the police to be vigilant and maintain peace before, during and after the election.

The ambassador was in the region to launch an electrical fence around the Imenti forest to ward off elephants that are said to have killed over 20 residents and destroyed crops.