Kenya’s President urges Khat farmers not to worry amid Cartel commission woes

Kenyan President William Ruto, for the first time spoke about his country’s Khat exports to Somalia, which was re-authorized in August after a two-year hiatus. Khat exporters in the country, have been fuming over expensive commission they have had to pay to a faceless cartel since the resumption of trade.

President Ruto reassured the khat farmers in his country not to worry, saying that, he will crack the whip on cartels in the sector, arguing that they deny farmers the chance to make an honest living from their efforts and hard work.

He also revealed that a meeting is scheduled between him and Somalia’s president which he said is aimed at addressing a number of issues, key among them is the market for Khat.

Kenya has made a strong effort to restore the export of Khat to Somalia, after President Farmajo’s administration stopped in in 2020.

The President of Somalia signed an agreement with his Kenyan counterpart in August to lift the ban on the export of Kenyan khat. Two weeks after the agreement, Kenya officially resumed the exports.