Difference Between Miraa and Muguka
Last week, a significant move was made by Mombasa and Kilifi Counties to ban the sale and distribution of muguka, signalling a concerted effort in the coastal region to mitigate the distribution and consumption of the stimulant.
Under decrees issued by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and his Kilifi counterpart Gideon Mung’aro, all outlets, whether retail or wholesale, engaged in the sale or distribution of muguka within the two Counties are required to halt operations immediately.
However, this prohibition represents a substantial setback for the livelihoods of muguka farmers and other stakeholders who have invested heavily in its value chain. It’s estimated that muguka contributes approximately Ksh22 billion annually to the economy of Embu County.
Conversely, Kenya has also enjoyed significant gains from exporting miraa, a stimulant similar to muguka, to neighbouring countries due to increased demand. Miraa cultivation is predominantly in Meru County, while farming is concentrated in Embu County.
By October 2022, Kenya had accrued Ksh4 billion from Miraa sales to Somalia after the trade resumed following a ban imposed by the Somali government in 2020. Coastal region counties such as Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi represent the primary markets for both muguka and Miraa.
A survey by the county health committee revealed that 31.4 per cent of Mombasa residents between the ages of 19 and 44 chew muguka. Notably, the two bans have specifically targeted muguka, with Governor Abdulswamad regulating the sale of miraa to be 100 meters away from religious places of worship and schools.
Distinguishing between miraa and muguka, both widely known as khat, these are plants whose fresh leaves and soft twigs are chewed to release a mood-altering juice. While miraa has a juicy succulent stem, muguka is a relatively short shrub with edible leaves and no stem. Muguka is produced in Embu County, whereas miraa is primarily grown in Meru County.
Considered a more economical commodity than miraa, muguka is readily available to users. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) survey indicates that a higher proportion of Kenyans have tried miraa at least once compared to muguka.
The effects of chewing khat, according to the NACADA report, include social and health-related effects such as gastrointestinal, genitourinary system, and psychiatric effects. The plant, being more potent than miraa, requires a higher consumption of leaves for stimulation, thus making its leaves slightly more addictive than miraa stems.
Reported effects of both products include sleep disturbances, anxiety, hyperactivity, teeth discolouration, constipation, increased heart rate, and memory impairment, among others. In women, consumption can lead to low birth weight, stillbirths, and impaired lactation.
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