MIRAA BAN AND BURNING IS MISINFORMED

By Riungu Jnr Ikiugu

Saturday, April 4 2020

I have keenly, interestingly, bitterly and curiously been following the battle on the banning and burning Khat [Miraa] on  the Meru Facebook pages. 

A battle that has, far and wide, involved everyone [ both the political bigwigs, the political dwarfs, sycophants and propagandist] from Meru County, with all the players literary struggling to show their political prowess and support to either the  politicians and/or the Miraa farmers, retailers and consumers.

I see this as a battle mainly between the foot soldiers of the incumbent Meru County Governor, His Excellency Kiraitu Murungi and and his predecessor, Hon. CS Peter Munya, the  Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Trade.

In my opinion, I can confidently conclude that, this Miraa battle is unworthy and unnecessary. But at the same time, it could be worth fighting. Why?

One, I think its worth fighting because the politicians and the political foot soldiers from either of the political hemispheres are pushing  for an ideology intended to improve and benefit all those involved in the Miraa production cycle.

On the other hand, I seem to think that the battle is not worth, simply because, to a greater extent, the reasons for the battle seems misinformed and misguided. It's a unworthy battle that has resulted from the misinformation on the fight against the spread and transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, I feel the battle is worth not because the politicians from either of of political hemispheres are probably playing a populist ideology with intentions of either a collective or individual political milestones gain.

Let's forget the political differences and ideologies between the foot soldiers of the two Meru political bigwigs [Kiraitu and Munya] and focus on the real issue; Miraa ban and Miraa burning.

Apparently, I read that, the billions worth of this prestigious Green Gold [Miraa] was burnt to ashes at a police station. How true this is, I can't ascertain. I am also aware that the public health sector and some quarters of the political hemispheres have been pushing for the ban of Miraa while others have been against the ban.

But whether the billions worth of Miraa was burnt at a police station, in the market, in a football pitch or in somebody's farm, that's not the issue. The issue that angers me is Miraa ban and  burning.

In Meru County, Miraa farming has been an income generating activity [especially to the people of Nyambene, Igembe and Tigania] since the times of our great great grand fathers. It has been a valuable trade commodity in dowry ceremonies, churches and dispute settlements for a very long time; even before the coming of Jesus Christ. 

Popularly known as Green Gold among the revellers, Miraa has been a pillar of success to thousands of families; a pillar of success in either the education of the sons and daughters of Ameru people, payment of medical bills and a driving factor of economic growth; both at the community level and in the country as a whole. Economic statistics shows that, the production and sale of Miraa [both locally and internationally], earns the country an annual revenue of approximately more than KES 10 billion annually. So, WHY ban and burn Miraa?

By now, you should see why this war is worthy. You should see why banning and burning of Miraa was wrong. You should see why the foot soldiers have to  put up a spirited fight against the alleged ban and burning of Miraa. You should see why the foot soldiers [guess associated] with Munya are tearfully fighting to win this battle. Its a pillar of livelihood to many in Meru, to many across the 47 counties and many across the world boundaries.

Without loosing focus, lets get back on the real issue; Miraa ban and the alleged Miraa burning. I am informed that the recent ban was necessitated  and ordered following the panic, fear and worry on the spread and transmission of Covid-19 causing virus. Maybe, to them [those issuing the ban and the burn], had a justification. Maybe not. 

Without any inclination to supporting any of the political hemispheres, I sensibly think that those who ordered the ban and burn of Miraa, did it from a point of misinformation and misguidance. Apologies to say so, but the decision that seems to have been benchmarked on "the prevention of corona virus spread and transmission", was hurriedly and stupidly made without the involvement of a proper thought process. On this, I could be right and I could be wrong.

Why do I think that the ideology of "the prevention of corona virus spread and transmission" as a basis of this Miraa ban and the alleged burn, was hurriedly and stupidly made? Hang on!

Which document states that Corona Virus comes from Miraa? Which document and or credible organization states that chewing Miraa will infect you with Corona Virus? As far as I am concerned, I haven't read any document or heard of any organization [s] that states so. 

Why do you think the government ordered the closure of all bars? Is it because beers and whiskeys spread and transmit corona virus? Absolutely not! 

Why you you think the national government, the ministry of health and respective county governments haven't ordered for the ban of consumables and perishables like sukuma wiki, tomatoes, dania, cabbage, managu etc? Is it because these perishables cannot be avenues of corona virus spread and transmission? Absolutely not!  

So, what is this Miraa ban and burning battle about? Easy! Its as a result of misguided and misinformed decisions and in addition, most probably, there has been some significant political toxins politically catalysing the foot soldiers to fight on for the ban and burn. Probably, there are sycophants interested in discrediting either of the political hemispheres. 

If Miraa was a considered and termed as an avenue of corona virus spread and transmission, right in my senses, I am sure that the World Health Organization would have advised the whole world, Kenya included, to ban and boycott Miraa including all the vegetables, all the perishables.

In my opinion, which I belief is right, issuing of the Miraa ban and burn Miraa directive should have been, slightly more thoughtful and keenness observed to give precise, accurate, correct and reliable information about the spread and transmission of COVID-19. 

In my opinion, rather than banning and burning Miraa, they should have heavily capitalized on creating awareness among the farmers, middlemen, retailers and the end users on the importance of sanitizing and/or hand washing. The culprits responsible for the ban and burn ideology, should have screamed to everyone to avoid the crowded Miraa chewing dens. In fact, they should have instead banned all the gatherings by Miraa revellers and not the cash crop itself. They should have planned and ran a campaign on the importance of wearing masks, especially when visiting these Miraa shops. They should have screamed to the ears of everyone, the importance of observing social distance and staying home. I mean, these measures should have involved the entire Miraa production - sale - consumption cycle. 

Banning and burning Miraa will not STOP the spread and transmission of corona virus.

The time in the fight against corona virus is not on our side. A looming economic sinking is dangerously hanging on the edge. Lets cease the unnecessary battle of whether to ban or burn  Miraa my good people. Lets get back to the drawing board and make the right, correct and realistic decisions. Decisions that will see Meru people prevent the spread and  transmission of corona virus whilst ensuring the economical, social and monetary benefits that comes with the production, sale and consumption of Miraa are not affected.

You may choose to listen, read, agree, disagree or criticize. But my opinions and views are solely mine and do not reflect the opinions and views of any political party or the people of Meru.

Happy Palm Sunday!