President William Ruto was on a familiar campaign trail last month in Maua, Meru County, when the crowd shifted the agenda. It was April 2, and while the President came with prepared remarks, it was clear the people had a different priority: miraa.
The stimulant crop, long synonymous with Meru's economy and identity, dominated the rally. Residents wanted Ruto to dismantle what they described as entrenched cartels reaping disproportionate profits while the farmers, the lifeblood of the industry, were left struggling. "Miraa cartels have three options.
They will either shut down their enterprise, go to jail, or embark on 'that journey'.
Today's Maua declaration states that the cartels must leave this country for the sector to thrive," said Ruto in an attempt to calm the crowd. "The cartels want to operate as farmers, brokers, buyers and auction attendants.
