This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Kenya's Presidential Escort Unit has taken a significant step to protect the health of its officers and their families by banning the chewing of Miraa, locally known as Khat.
According to a notice issued by George Kirera, the head of the Presidential Escort Unit, the chewing of Miraa and Muguka poses a significant health risk to personnel and their families.
“Please be informed that it has been noted with the high level of concern by this office that chewing miraa and muguka is posing a lot of health risk to our personnel and their families,” reads the notice in part.
The ban, which took effect on July 6th, 2020, at 1400 hours, prohibits all Presidential Escort personnel and civilians residing within the camps from chewing Miraa or Muguka within the camps or work station.
Chewing of Miraa and Muguka has become a common behavior among many young Kenyans across the country, with Kenya exporting Miraa worth billions of shillings annually to neighboring Somalia.
Previous studies have linked the substance to various health risks, including sexual dysfunction in men.
