Meru University Seeks Patent for Miraa Sachet Innovation Aiming to Transform Traditional Crop into Modern Beverage.
A Kenyan university has filed a patent application for a groundbreaking innovation that could transform the future of miraa — the leafy stimulant plant that has for decades stirred both cultural pride and social controversy. The innovation introduces a miraa-based sachet designed to be brewed like tea, offering a convenient and socially acceptable alternative to the traditional chewing habit. Researchers behind the project describe the sachet as a “modern, health-conscious reinvention” of the crop, allowing consumers to experience miraa’s natural energy-boosting and stress-relieving properties in a mild, controlled beverage form.
If the patent is approved, the sachet could mark a major shift in how miraa is perceived both locally and internationally. For years, the plant — also known as khat — has faced bans and trade restrictions in several countries due to its stimulant effects and cultural association with social habits. The new product seeks to redefine that narrative by introducing miraa as a refined, value-added health beverage, similar to green tea or herbal infusions. The university’s research team says the sachet minimizes the psychoactive content while retaining essential nutrients and antioxidants found in the leaves, making it safe for regular consumption.
This development could also revitalize Kenya’s miraa-growing regions, particularly in Meru and Embu counties, where farmers have suffered fluctuating market prices and international trade bans. By converting miraa into a standardized, export-ready product, the innovation promises new economic opportunities, increased employment, and a stable source of income for rural communities. Experts in agriculture and innovation policy have praised the initiative as a step toward transforming indigenous crops into global commodities through science and technology.
The university has also hinted at plans to collaborate with local cooperatives and private investors for large-scale production once the patent is granted. If successful, the miraa sachet could position Kenya as a pioneer in turning traditional crops into sustainable, health-oriented consumer products. In doing so, it may bridge the gap between cultural heritage sachet at a time.
