Personal Interests hindering growth of Miraa sector
A senior officer in the flight industry in Kenya is under fire for allowing personal interests to interfere in the running of the million shilling business.
Past media reports have shown Director-General Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Gilbert Kibe grounds aircrafts at the Wilson Airport, but reasons behind the grounding are largely in question. To note KCAA has not given any official documentation on this grounding but only verbal threats.
The Director-General is accused of preferring a Somali Based airline – Jetways owned by Mr. Mohammed Muhumed a Somali over locally based companies in the transport of the highly perishable drug, Miraa, to Somalia for export, exposing local companies to millions in loses.
Mr. Kibe is also said to be an air operator and therefore has interests in the business raising questions on his level of objectivity and fairness in regulating the aviation industry.
Companies allegedly undercut at the airport are Bush Air, Rudufu, Bluebird, Buff air, Silverstone air , Capital air & Skyward. The companies are losing at least Sh60 million daily and consequently, jobs will be lost. The ‘grounded’ aircrafts have certificates of airworthiness and have class A category approvals.
The alleged actions of the Director-General are in direct conflict with the directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta that the miraa business is supported, and recommendations of the Presidential Taskforce on Miraa that thrust the stimulant into a national crop status.
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The President wants the growing and selling of miraa supported.
The KCAA Director is, therefore, going against the vision of the Jubilee Government and the President’s word as local companies feel they are being undercut.
The miraa business is a million shilling investment supporting thousands of families in Meru and her environs.
The chewable stimulant is a favourite in Somalia.
Featured Image credits: Citizen Digital
