Miraa traders and farmers in Igembe have expressed optimism after one of their own was elected as a Member of Parliament.
That Dan Kiili Karitho, a renowned miraa trader trounced the outgoing Member of Parliament Cyprian Kiringo to clinch the Igembe Central constituency seat in Meru County, has put a smile on faces of both miraa farmers and traders.
Kiili won the MP seat on a Jubilee party ticket after garnering 29,788 votes and beat the incumbent Cyprian Kiringo of UDA who polled 21,595 votes.
The businessman promised to work with both governments at County and National level to lobby for more markets for miraa locally and internationally to salvage the economy of the area which majorly depends on miraa.
Speaking to the jubilant residents, Kiili thanked them for trusting and giving him a chance to serve them.
He said miraa and agriculture in general are always at his heart and that he will utilise the chance given to him to secure markets for the produce knowing the plight of miraa farmers since he is one of them.
He expressed his commitment in boosting the agricultural sector which is the backbone of the area through utilisation of the government resources including extension and research services in educating farmers on modern and productive agribusiness.
“Farmers should embrace modern and effective farming methods to improve their livelihoods,” Kilii maintained.
The MP-elect said he will ensure money allocated to miraa as a cash crop will be put to proper use for betterment of the residents majority of whom depend on the crop for social-economic life including educating their children.
By Kamanja Maeria
