Senators have launched a probe on claims of harassment and mistreatment of passengers carrying miraa while travelling on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
Meru Senator Murungi Kathuri said the Ministry of Roads needs to justify the harassment and mistreatment of passengers carrying miraa on SGR and not consuming it.
He argued that miraa is recognised as a cash crop under the Crops Act of 2013, and is not listed as a prohibited item on the Madaraka Express.
He wants the ministry to indicate the measures in place by the management of SGR to improve professionalism, in light of reported incidents of passengers being mistreated.
“Ministry should state the steps the management of SGR is taking to ensure that its services remain attractive and competitive,” he added.
The Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing will conduct the inquiry.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargey said the matter must be looked into because miraa is a key cash crop grown by the Meru community.
“Miraa is a critical cash crop. It is a blood lifeline of the people from Mt. Kenya, specifically Meru,” he said.
“I request the Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries CS Mithika Linturi, a former Senator, who fortunately comes from Meru and the CS in charge of the National Treasury, to look into this matter,” he said.
The Nandi senator regretted that many traders have been harassed yet they want to do clean business and bring revenue to the country.
The senate moves come days after a video that went viral showed a furious passenger protesting after he was allegedly blocked from boarding while carrying a bag with miraa.
The passenger engaged the officers at the clearance for a while wondering if Miraa had been banned yet the government was supporting farmers.
He argued that the government has invested in miraa farmers and continues to look for markets across the world yet such a crop is being banned from SGR.
