Embu: Calls to regulate miraa farming



Education stakeholders in Embu have called for enactment of a law to regulate miraa farming in order to reduce education challenges that it poses to the young learners.
Led by the County commissioner Esther Maina, they said the law will help reduce school dropout and low transition rates in the miraa growing zones of Mbeere North and Mbeere South Sub Counties.
They said the number of boys in schools had reduced due to absenteeism or drop out to engage in miraa trade while young girls were getting married off to rich miraa farmers.
They said the law if formulated should address among other things miraa harvesting hours and put stiff penalty to parents whose children drop out if school to engage in miraa trade.
They were speaking during an education meeting attended by stakeholders from the county as well as Kenya National Examinations Council and Kenya Institute of curriculum Development at Kangaru Boys High School.
Data by the County Education Department shows a decline in education standards in Mbeere region compared to the other parts of the County, attributed mainly to miraa farming.
Mbeere North Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Christopher Siele said in some instances school-going children own farms where they grow muguka, a lhat variety in the area.
“When supervising last year’s KCPE examinations, we came across a candidate who had Sh32, 000 and another with Sh17, 000 from the day’s sales. They claimed that they earn more than their teachers and that education to them is of no benefit,” said Siele.
Mbeere South DCC Beverly Oporwa said despite arresting parents who allow their children to engage in miraa trade, they always find their way back.
The stakeholders at the same time raised concern over high cases of early pregnancies among school going girls especially in Mbeere region blaming it on miraa farmers.
“Young girls are lured by the amount of money that these miraa farmers make and drop out of school to get married. This has become a trend in this region and despite arresting them, they always find their way back,” said Oporwa.

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