Government documents miraa grades to help farmers boost quality and meet market demands

The government through the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has documented the various miraa
(khat) grades to help farmers produce, sort and grade their miraa to meet the specific needs of
different markets.
In a publication dated October 3, 2024, the authority specified that different grades of miraa are grown
locally, with consumers having their preferences based on various factors, primarily taste and price.
However, miraa grades have never been properly documented. “We have now documented the various
grades of the crop with their unique characteristics, including the number of leaves, length, nodes, color,
among other characteristics,” said AFA.
About 80% of locally produced miraa is consumed locally, while 20% is exported, mainly to Somalia.

MARSABIT REGION

• Grade 1
  This grade of miraa is locally referred to as kachu, maini, gobo or halwa. It mainly consists of two leaves
  and a bud. Grade 1 miraa is short, tender and succulent, making it a favorite among consumers. It has
  one node and has a length of between 5cm and 7cm and is usually consumed whole.
  Grade 1 miraa is primarily sold to the high-end market. It is mainly sold in Moyale, Dukana, Wajir,
  Samburu and Isiolo.
• Grade 2
  Grade 2 miraa has four leaves and contains no buds. It is longer than Grade 1, with its length ranging
  between 7cm and 10cm. This grade of miraa has two nodes and is slightly succulent and harder than
  Grade 1. The two upper leaves and the bark are consumed, while the two lower leaves are not
  consumed as they act as a protector.
  Grade 2 miraa is mostly sold locally, mainly in Moyale, Dukana, Wajir, Samburu and Isiolo where it has
  high demand.
• Grade 3
  This grade of miraa contains six leaves with bud. It is longer than both Grade 1 and Grade 2 grades, with
  its length averaging between 12cm and 15cm. Grade 3 miraa has fibrous twigs and contains three
  nodes. Despite its larger quantity of leaves, only two leaves and the bark are chewed. The extra leaves
  are for protection against spoilage.
  This grade of miraa is distributed locally to markets such as Totore, Dukana, Forole, and Illeret. It is also
  sold at Border Town – Ethiopia at Korr, Ngurunit, Kargi, Samburu.
• Chaffee
  The Chaffee grade is characterized by its maroon-colored twigs with short inter nodes and length of
  30cm. It has fibrous twigs, and its leaves are shiny and leathery. This grade is known for its long shelf-
  life.Chaffee’s distribution is limited and is sold mainly in Marsabit and its environs.

MERU REGION

• Kangeta
  The kangeta grade has a long stem with a length ranging between 20cm and 25cm. Its twigs have young,
  tender leaves that have succulent branches. Sorting and grading of kangeta involves defoliation of the
  lower leaves and leaving the top soft leaves.
  This grade of miraa is preferred by local markets especially Meru and Nairobi where it attracts high
  demand.
•  Kisa Grade 1
  The Kisa Grade 1 is shorter than kangeta and has an average length of between 15cm and 20cm. one
  similarity they share is that its twigs have young tender leaves with succulent branches. However, it is
  highly perishable.
  This means that it has to get to the market very quickly once it has been harvested. Further, the sorting
  and grading of this grade involves defoliating of the lower leaves, leaving the top soft leaves.
  Kisa Grade 1 miraa is commonly sold in premium local markets, like Nairobi, Garissa, Mombasa and
  Lamu. It is also exported to some of the neighboring regions.
• Kisa Grade 2 (Nyeusi)
  Kisa Grade 2, also known as nyeusi, is slightly shorter when compared to Kisa Grade 1. Its length
  averages between 15cm and 20cm. It however has a greener stem and more leaves. This grade has twigs
  with overgrown shoots and a fibrous bark.
  Kisa Grade 2 is commonly sold in Meru, Nairobi, Mombasa and Garissa. It is also widely sold in Eldoret,
  Kisumu and Busia.
• Kata
  Kata is a low-grade grade of miraa and grows to the same size as kangeta. It is sometimes derived
  during pruning practice.
  Kata is often sold at lower prices compared to other grades, mainly in Isiolo, Nanyuki and Samburu.
  Alele
  The alele grade’s stem grows to a length of between 20cm and 23cm. It is leafier compared to other
  miraa grades and its twigs have young, tender leaves with succulent branches. Alele’s leaves and twigs
  are predominantly green. Further, its excess leaves could be plucked to get other miraa grades from it.
  This grade is sold mainly in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, and many parts of
  Northeastern. It is also exported to Somalia and Israel.

EMBU REGION

All grades from Embu are commonly referred to as ‘Muguka’

• Mchele
  This grade mainly has two tender leaves and one node. Its color ranges from green to deep red and has
  a length of between 3cm and 5cm. Mchele is the highest grade of muguka and is usually consumed
  whole. It is highly perishable and can be distinguished by its high potency.
  The mchele grade, like other grades of muguka, is highly perishable. Due to this, its main markets are
  Nairobi, Machakos, Garissa and their environs which can be easily accessed.
• Medium
  The medium grade has four leaves and its color ranges from green to light red. It is succulent, has two
  nodes and grows to a length ranging between 5m and 7cm. This grade is sold to local markets within the
  country.
•  Digital
  This grade has six leaves with bud and grows to a length averaging 12cm and 15cm. It has three nodes
  and its twigs are fibrous. Despite having six leaves, only two leaves and the bark are consumed. It has
  longer stems, and its appearance is similar to a young twig of miraa from Meru.
  Digital is mainly sold in local markets. Further, it is also exported in small quantities to Israel. It is used
  for processing of miraa juice. It has a longer shelf life, which makes it suitable for transportation to
  longer distances.
• CR
  The CR grade has mostly green and fibrous leaves. It has one or two nodes and grows to a length of
  between 3cm and 5cm. It also has a longer shelf life. It has a longer shelf life.
  This grade is mainly sold to the lower-end markets and those that are far away from the growth zones
  markets such as Mombasa, Mandera, Wajir, Kisumu, Nairobi and Machakos. It is often used to make
  dried miraa.