Khat [Photo: Shutterstock]

Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi has temporarily suspended the transportation and sale of miraa within the county in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Addressing the press in Wajir, the governor appealed to the County Security Intelligence Committee to enforce the ban until it's lifted.

Read Also: Why Meru men walk around with pangas

This is despite huge outcry from miraa farmers, as well as the majority of those who deal in the business.

Mr Abdi said the drastic measures by the governor are because the county has been classified as a high-risk region since it shares borders with both Somalia and Ethiopia, which have confirmed cases.

“The county government has set up an isolation and quarantine facility at Wajir County Referral Hospital.

Private health facilities in Wajir town, too, have set up isolation wards. We shall continue to put more facilities at the sub-counties and border points,” he said.

Read Also: We were chewing miraa, not each other at City Park - Bernard Chege

Mr Abdi said in the event of suspected cases, they have partnered with national government and private medical facilities to provide care and support.

He further ordered the closure of Madrasa.