By Patrick Mathangani and Timothy Ntongai
St Francis of Assize Catholic Church in Kamiruru near Maua, Meru, is a buzz with activity.
It is Sunday morning and Christians make a procession to give offerings at the altar.
They bring beans, maize, money ... anything that will help the church raise funds for its running.
And some, walking steadily in the procession, are clutching bundles of miraa, wrapped in banana leaves.
Song and dance
Father Joseph Muchunku receives miraa bundles offered by Christians at St Francis of Assize Catholic Church in Kimururu, Meru. The bundles are then sold to faithful.
Amid dancing by a children’s choir in brightly coloured red and white uniforms, they hand over the fresh, green bundles to Father Stephen Muchunku.
He solemnly receives the stimulant herbs with both hands and places them at the altar. He then conducts a Christian ritual to bless the offering.
The faithful, most of them miraa farmers, chant and ask God to accept their sacrifice.
Moments later, Muchunku blesses the Eucharist in another holy ritual that is a hallmark of Catholic Mass.
"Christians offer what God has blessed them with," Muchunku explains later outside after the service.
"Here, miraa is everything."
The church has a three-acre miraa farm, and so does the neighbouring Kamiruru Primary School. From small children to adults, believers and non-believers, residents in this fertile land are united in their defence of miraa as the ‘green gold of Nyambene’.
Although classified as a drug of abuse by the World Health Organisation, men of cloth defend it and declare that they chew it too.
Held in contempt
The herb may be held in contempt in some places and even associated with the wretched of the earth.
Catechist John Mwenda (left) assists faithful to prepare the herb for offering. [PHOTOS: CORRESPONDENT/STANDARD]
Many conjure up images of untidy youth with bulging cheeks when miraa is mentioned.
Researchers say it causes low libido and euphoria that could lead to crime when those who chew get high. To others, it is a drug that should be shunned by worshippers.
But Muchunku dismisses this: "There is no scientific evidence. Miraa is in Meru what coffee is in Kiambu."
Nyambene was in the larger Meru District, which was recently sub-divided into Igembe and later Igembe North and South, and Tigania East and West districts.
Once offered in church, the herbs are auctioned to
Christians, who happily bid for a share of the now blessed herb.
Whenever the church raises funds, miraa comes in handy.
Nearly all families have miraa farms and it would be difficult to imagine life without the herb.
The herbs are sold to raise funds to build schools, cattle dips, homes and churches.
During a telephone interview with the Rev Joseph Gichunge of the New Life ministries, he chuckled: "As we talk, I am chewing miraa with my wife. Here, you chew miraa even as you give testimony that you are saved and love Jesus. There is nothing wrong with it."
Miraa (khat) contains two chemicals — cathinone and cathine. Cathinone is the more potent one. This makes those who chew miraa feel euphoric.
Cathinone decomposes within 48 hours, explaining why the herb is highly perishable. It is thus wrapped in banana leaves to preserve freshness, while water can also be sprinkled on it.
According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, chewing miraa creates a pleasurable effect similar to ecstasy. This is why the drug is popular with the youth.
A resident in Maua explains: "You feel like you are in a helicopter."
Wikipedia says after chewing miraa, one becomes talkative and may appear unrealistic and emotionally unstable.
Maniac behaviour
The drug can induce manic behaviour, increase heart rate and blood pressure and cause drowsy hallucinations.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur, including depression, nightmares and tremors, while long time use may cause liver problems, psychosis, risk of ulcers and diminishes sex drive.
The Rev Gichunge, who is the national treasurer of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Kenya, said claims of low libido are not true.
If they were, then the region would have low fertility rates. This, however, has not been proven, he said.
He further says although it is a stimulant, it does not drive people away from their faith. He has chewed the herb for 30 years and he is not about to stop.
"Those who give it a bad name take alcohol," the cleric says.
Mr John Mwenda Maraki, a senior catechist, agrees. He says the church uses miraa proceeds to pay workers, buy fuel and meet other expenses.
"It’s not miraa which is bad. It’s the people who misuse it," the cleric says.
Although it is legal in Kenya, khat is illegal in many countries such as Denmark, Finland, France, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.
Igembe DC Yatich Kipkemei said miraa is a way of life in the region and contributes more than 80 per cent to the local economy.