As the debate surrounding the cultural, economic and health implications of Miraa and Muguka continues, Meru University of Science and Technology is pioneering research stands poised at reshaping perceptions on the two leaves and unlock new possibilities for these traditionally significant crops in the Meru and Embu regions.
In a groundbreaking initiative, researchers at the University have so far successfully transformed the crops, traditionally consumed as stimulants in its raw form, into popular consumer products.
Led by Professor Joshua Arimi, a food scientist majoring in food engineering, the team has introduced innovative items such as Miraa Kombucha wine and muguka energy drink, marking a significant leap towards enhancing the market appeal and nutritional value of these two crops.
Miraa and Muguka, both derived from the Catha Edulis plant, have long been integral to Kenya’s economy, injecting approximately Sh1.3 billion annually.
“We have done various studies of nutritional and phytochemical composition and noted that the two are very rich in phytochemicals, and various polyphenols,” said Professor Arimi.
However, despite their economic importance, the raw forms of these stimulants have faced criticism for their aesthetics and alleged negative health impacts, particularly in the Coastal region.
Addressing these concerns, Professor Arimi emphasized the nutritional benefits of Miraa and Muguka, highlighting their richness in phytochemicals which are known for their nutritional and therapeutic effects.
The research also aims at challenging misconceptions surrounding those stimulants, arguing that proper processing and value addition can mitigate perceived potential health risks and enhance their acceptance among consumers.
“We are leading by example to demonstrate that Miraa and Muguka can be transformed into appealing and beneficial products beyond their raw form. Through our studies we have developed these products not only to diversify their use but also to contribute positively to public health discourse.,” stated Professor Arimi during a press briefing at the university.
He added: “We are aware there are a lot of political discussions regarding Miraa and Muguka in the coastal region but our take is that the two have not just been consumed in May and June of 2024 but even the previous years.”
“We have never seen this kind of reaction. Therefore, it means that the argument that Miraa and Muguka is making people behave like zombies is not supported by any fact. In Meru and Embu where Muguka and Miraa are planted respectively we don’t see zombies and so there must be another effect that is contributing to that kind of behavior and mannerisms and that’s what the government needs to find out.”
The research initiative at the institution has received support from various quarters, including calls for increased government funding into Miraa research to further explore its potential benefits.
Dr Patrick Kubai, a pharmacological researcher at the university, dismissed claims of mental health risks associated with Miraa and Muguka, citing studies that suggest potential health benefits for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension (High Blood Pressure).
“We are at a nascent stage and we have set up a big lab in the institution to start the program on harnessing all the positive effects of miraa,”.
“There are more than 60 to 100 components of Miraa with positive effects, which will be of value in terms of value addition,” said Dr Kubai.
Looking at Miraa from different perspectives, Dr Kubai added, they have been able to patent around 12 claims from the crop to harness the medicinal aspect of it.
“One of them from the world statistics, the number of people becoming diabetic and hypertensive are very many and one of the noticeable effects of Miraa is anti-anger effects. So, if we can harness just one of those, it will be a big game changer in terms of products we can harness from the crop,” said Dr Kubai.
He said they have already set up a clinical trial laboratory at the university which will help them to see whether the claims can be ascertained and are in talks with the Ministry of Agriculture and other government arms to fund these processes so that they can put their prototypes in the market.
The other chemical from Miraa, he added, is flavonoids which are very good as anticoagulants which we are also trying to harness.
“There are hypotheses which are yet to be confirmed but I can tell you the same way we have packaged other herbal products, we are packaging miraa through MRI to ensure that we have products on the table,” said Dr. Kubai.
On mental health and other social behaviors, from the medical point of view, Dr Kubai said that the predisposing factors causing mental illnesses and other behavioral changes are well known and miraa might not be one of them.
“If Miraa was the cause, then Meru County should be leading in terms of mental cases illness, and our mental department in level five should be full, with all young people,” said Dr Kubai.
So far, he added: “we have developed standards and what has been delaying us is the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) and other related laws and I think the government and parliamentarians are on top of this to ensure the authority does not prevent us from furthering our research on this,”.
Meru University’s Vice Chancellor, Romanus Odhiambo, underscored the institution’s commitment to advancing research on miraa and muguka, adding that this was the core mandate of the institution.
He said the initiative aims to deepen understanding of these crops to explore additional commercial opportunities such as juices, yogurts and other processed products.
“We want to know what it is that people talk about miraa, how it is grown, what kind of various spaces we have, and some of the benefits because people only talk about the negative things about it that they imagine which are not based on science,” said Professor Odhiambo.
Dickson Mwiti and Samuel Gikeri
