Kenyans cross to Uganda as mukombero shortage hits

Kenyan traders of the mukombero herb are crossing over to neighboring Uganda due to shortage of the popular plant which is commonly believed to help men get it up in the bed.

The traders say the herb’s consumption is at its all-time high not just in the western region of Kenya but across the country. They are blaming inexperienced harvesters for the reducing quantities, saying they lack expertise to harvest it in a sustainable manner.

A study in 1998 (cited by Infonet-biovision ) found that the plant had disappeared from South Africa and central Kenya and there are fears it could disappear from western Kenya in the next few years.

“These days, it takes many hours of painstaking searching to get a mature plant,” says a Vendor.

“I am overwhelmed by the demand. Even in the forest where I get it from, I have to go in much deeper to get a mature plant. It is running out,” he adds.

The plant, scientifically called Mondia whitei  is not listed as an endangered species by the Kenya Wildlife Service, but as a ” priority” wildlife species for which farming may be allowed with special permits.