Khat traders in Kenya suspend all exports to Somalia
Kenya has suspended exports of khat to Somalia. Somali Kenyan consumers rely heavily on imports of khat.
In Kenya, the price of khat bag rose to $600, which is twice what it cost until recently, said a trader at the BBC.
He said the Somali government, for its part increased 100% tax on imports of khat, $200 for each bag.
The cultivation of this plant is a source of income for more than six million small farmers in Kenya. Each year, they earn about US $ 100 million.
The leaves of the plant are chewed for their stimulating and euphoric effect, comparable to that of amphetamine.
A law prohibiting the importation of khat was approved by the British Parliament in May 2014.
According to the Minister of the Interior, the ban was necessary to prevent Britain becoming a hub for khat traffic.
At least 40 tons of khat pass weekly by Southall, an industrial area near Heathrow International Airport in London.
Source: BBC
