Muguka vs Miraa: Differences between the two explained

A reformist on all drinks and herbs that impair judgement, Mututho says muguka and miraa have proven to be the hardest to deal with, at least at his rehabilitation centre.

Mututho expressed concern at the rising usage:  "Some of the clients we fear are those of Muguka and miraa. The amounts of cathinone and cathine are very high, chemicals that scientific data has pointed at effects that impair normal body functions."

"And at the addiction stage, it will mess with your reward center, dopamine. Men, at the addiction stage, you release water leakage, your spermatozoa just leak, you are not stimulated, inamwagika tu ovyo," he added.

It's not just that. Insomnia, high blood pressure, and rotting teeth are other effects that take over users of both miraa and muguka. But is there a difference between the two?

"The only difference between these two is the level of cathines and cathinone, and this is higher because you are chewing the leaves, the leaves Mututho says is where the potency resides, and treating addicts of muguka and miraa is a challenge," Mututho explained.

"Out of 4500 patients we have treated, 60%-65% we have managed to treat only 10%. It is easier to deal with someone who is addicted to heroin," he continued.

Mututho now wants those using the economic gain of the two herbs to encourage alternatives that will not affect the health of users and keep farmers and businessmen smiling all the way to the bank.

"Let's invest in other herbs like rosemary. Farmers will be very rich, and we will not have zombies," he concluded.