Embu seeks high value crop to replace miraa

A man holds a heap of khat locally known as Miraa in Mweiga in Nyeri County on July 3, 2013. Miraa traders could face a major loss following threats to close the Somali market. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Wambora admitted that replacing miraa would be a tall order since the crop generated good returns.
  • He said they were studying such crops as sweeteners and bamboo, which had high value.

The Embu county government is exploring high value crops to replace growing of miraa (khat) in Mbeere area, Embu County, in the event it is classified as a drug.

Governor Martin Wambora said though miraa fetched good money and had uplifted the lives of many residents, it was constantly being fought as it was linked with drug use.

Speaking in his office when he hosted National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) chairman John Mututho on Friday, Mr Wambora said they were working with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro), to look for crops that could thrive in the miraa growing zone of Mbeere.

He said they were studying such crops as sweeteners and bamboo, which had high value.

Mr Wambora, however, admitted that replacing miraa would be a tall order since the crop generated good returns.

“We get more money from miraa than what coffee and tea produces. It will be very difficult to stop the crop but we are exploring alternative crops,” he said.

Mr Mututho, who was accompanied by Nacada chief executive Dr William Okedi, said the miraa grown in Embu was not considered among the highly abused substances in the country.

“The miraa grown here is known as muguka and is classified as number 20. The active ingredients vary from one area to the other,” said Mr Mututho.