WHAT IS KHAT/MIRAA
Miraa is a mild stimulant herb grown in three places in the World, Somali, Ethiopia, Yemen, South Africa and Kenya. Miraa is legally grown in Kenya and it grows in three regions, Kerio Valley in the Rift Valley Province, Embu and Nyambene hills. The best quality of miraa comes from Nyambene hills. Miraa is highly perishable and consumption of the product must take place at least 96 hours or 4 days after it is picked form the tree. Miraa tree grows to a height of up to 25 meters, however, what grows in plantations is normally pruned to a height that is manageable for harvesting. It is also known by other names as: khat and veve in Kenya, qat in Yemen, eschat in Ethiopia and scientifically as Catha edulis. Other names are Abyssinian tea, African salad and oat.   

Miraa for consumption is harvested from tree as young twigs or branches. The twigs are normally tender and miraa users chew the outer cover or the bark of the twigs. The bark is bitter but for those who like the product, the bitter taste is associated with quality. Sometimes chewers take tea or soft drinks/soda or eat sweets while chewing miraa. Miraa chewing has no side effects, however it has been known to decrease appetite and increase alertness. Miraa chewing decreases the urge for great amount of alcohol. The main groups of users of miraa in Kenya include; truck drivers, people who run kiosks, bars, hotels that stay open all day and night, university and college students have also been known to consume the product.

Originally in Nyambene Hills miraa was only chewed on special occasions and by only the old men. Miraa plays a vital role in the traditional and cultural roles among Ameru, especially during marriages. Today the young and old including women chew miraa. The major consumers of miraa have always been the people of Somali. Major markets are Nairobi, Lamu and Mombasa. Recently, export market are opening up in European Union London is the biggest miraa market, others are the Netherlands and Germany. Miraa exported to London is able to find its way to other cities of the World. The price of this product in the export market is normally high.

In Muslim cultures, khat has been chewed and brewed in tea for centuries.

Miraa has often been mistaken to be a drug, but truly speaking the product contains some active ingredient that causes temporarily alertness of mind with no side effects. The Ameru people of Nyambene hills have consumed this product for century and no case of poising, misbehaviors, misjudgments or act of violence has been attributable to miraa intake. This crop to the people of Nyambene is a natural herb for social purposes.

USES OF KHAT
Natives of Eastern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East have used khat since antiquity as a recreational and religious drug. Khat is legal in many countries, including Great Britain where khat can be legally imported, distributed, used and or exported. Khat has long been an acceptable substitute for alcohol among Muslims. During the period of Ramadan. The use of khat is popular to alleviate fatigue and reduce hunger. Although khat can be abused, it is often used in social context similar to the manner in which coffee is consumed in other parts of the World. Report from Yemen indicate that khat is consumed by 3 out of every 4 Yemenis, and account for more than 40 % of the average family budget.

CULTIVATION OF KHAT
Khat originated in Ethiopia and spread through Kenya, Somali, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and Yemen. Khat is an important part of the economy of many producer countries, particularly Somali, Kenya, Yemen. In Kenya and Ethiopia khat is grown in export quantities, it is Ethiopia’s fourth largest export and is widely accepted for recreational purposes. In Yemen over 33 % of gross national product is associated with the cultivation, consumption and exportation of khat.

Khat harvested is usually transported packaged into bundles, and wrapped in plastic bags or banana leaves to retain moisture and freshness.   

LEGAL STATUS
Possession or use of khat is not presently restricted in the UK, Yemen, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, Israel, Madagascar, South Arabia and South Africa etc so no penalties apply for use or trade. However, it is illegal in some other countries, and people are arrested and prosecuted for carrying khat.