Lamu traders broke as miraa clients stop chewing during Ramadhan

Lamu is predominantly Muslim, which means the majority of the locals are now observing fasting, prayers, reflection and community service.

Traders in the region are decrying dwindling business since Muslims started fasting mid-last month.

Miraa traders from Lamu and neighbouring Somalia, which is the biggest consumer of Kenyan miraa, have kept off to give way for the fast.

This situation has left miraa traders counting losses as their customer base, which are mostly Muslims, has gone down.

The number of boats and vehicles known for their speedy shuttles between Lamu and Somalia are nowhere to be seen.

Lamu Miraa Traders Association chairman Ibrahim Kamanja said they have lost at least 50 per cent of their entire customer base because of Ramadhan.

During Ramadhan, all practising Muslims are expected to strictly fast and pray while staying away from food and other consumables until specified periods of dusk.

Even simple acts of chewing gum are forbidden during this period and so is the chewing of miraa.

The situation has also caused a drop in the price of miraa owing to the huge decrease in the supply and demand.

While a kilo of high grade miraa will normally sell for Sh4000, the same has now dropped to just about Sh2,500 with the reduced demand.

“Most of our clients are Muslims who are observing the fast. Business is not at its best and we can only pray that the month ends fast so the sales can pick up again. Buying a kilo of miraa at a high cost and selling a kilo at Sh2,500 is the worst season for us,” said Kamanja.

Mohamed Omar, a boat owner who ferries miraa and other goods from Lamu to Somalia, admits he has had to reduce the number of trips to the neighbouring country because pf Ramadhan.

Omar reveals that out of about 15 boats that ferry miraa from Lamu to Somalia daily, the number has reduced to just two since the holy month began since the demand has taken a dip as most clients observe the fast.

“All the boat captains are adhering to the fast and have totally parked their vessels until after the prayers. It’s just me and another coxswain in operation and even then, our trips have drastically reduced,”said Omar.

Lamu miraa trader Simon Wangige says he would make as much as Sh50,000 a day before Ramadhan.

He however says the much he has been able to make since the fast began is Sh6000 a day, which he describes as the worst returns in the business.

“We manage to salvage a few customers during the evenings and that’s just about it. We are however positive that once the fast is over, business will boom again,” said Wangige.

Key miraa selling hubs in Lamu include Lamu Old Town, Witu, Mkokoni, and Kiunga on the Lamu-Somalia border, all of which are predominantly Muslim towns.

Ramadhan is expected to officially come to an end on May 1.