Alarm as Thousands of Children Labor in Embu, Meru's Booming Miraa Industry

While the muguka and miraa trade generates over Sh40 billion annually, the economic benefits are overshadowed by rampant child labour, drawing thousands of children away from education in Embu and Meru counties.

A 16-year-old Embu resident, Alex from Kiritiri, dropped out of school in 2023 due to financial constraints and now works on muguka farms. The lure of immediate income from muguka farms has led to dwindling student numbers in schools such as Giikiro Secondary School in Mbeere South, Embu, which nearly closed due to this trend. The local community has since helped revive the school's population, but the underlying issues persist.

Estimates suggest that approximately 10,000 children in Embu and 30,000 in Meru are currently engaged in child labour within the muguka and miraa sectors. The withdrawal of school feeding programs and family breakdowns further exacerbate the problem, pushing children into labour to cover basic needs, according to Assistant Chief Wanjiru Njiru and Reverend Cecily Nyaga. Fatigue from early morning work also impacts children's school performance.

In Meru, the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders is actively combating child labour by imposing fines on those who employ children in the miraa trade. The council also facilitates access to school fees loans for farmers through the Khat Community Sacco. These efforts have shown some success, with a number of children returning to school. Despite sensitization campaigns and legal frameworks banning child labour and advocating for compulsory education, the problem persists.

Local authorities, civil society organizations, and community leaders are working together to enforce regulations against child labour and provide financial support for education. These collective efforts aim to break the cycle of poverty and ensure children have the opportunity to learn and thrive.
The challenge remains significant, requiring sustained commitment from all stakeholders to eradicate child labour and safeguard the rights and futures of children in the muguka and miraa-growing regions.