''Miraa chewing and cigarette smoking is prohibited in the hospital compound,'' a sign post at Maua Methodist Church Hospital warns visitors coming to the health facility.

Khat or Miraa as commonly called, is a mild stimulant herb grown in several places in the World, Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen, South Africa and Kenya.

Miraa is legally grown in Kenya and it grows in three regions, Kerio Valley in the Rift Valley Province, Embu and Nyambene hills.

The best quality Miraa comes from Nyambene hills and is highly perishable and consumption of the product must take place at least 96 hours or 4 days after it is picked from the tree.

Maua Town is the hum of Miraa where residents regardless of age and sex seem to chew, drink and sleep Miraa, the community's only main source of livelihood.

The hospital warning sends signals of the resultant effects of the Miraa, also known as "ghat."

The medical facility administration in addition to the warning has issued with the produce as it is the main cause of many medical cases refereed to the hospital.

Injuries inflicted by knives or matchets arising from fights over Miraa theft, business rivalry and ownership of Miraa land zones is a common phenomenon in the health facility.

Men clad in crude weapons also result to power of charms as an intervention measure to safeguard the trade in what is perceived as the largest Miraa trading zone in Africa.

Mtuithibu Kiugu, a Miraa dealer in Kitui Town, says that he has saved enough to educate his four children.

''I am determined to educate my children so as to make a difference. I do not want my children to engage in Miraa trade as what is happening to most children here," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

He says before he decided to venture in Miraa farming, he was employed in a hotel in Meru Town, which is the biggest trading centre in the region, and had difficulties in meeting basic needs of his family. Things are however different now, he says.

But despite Miraa economic value, the commodity has enormous side effects, says a nurse in the hospital who asked not to be named.

She says although deaths from Miraa feuds are rare, the hospital receives many cases of assault over Miraa deals. Here Miraa matters are handled cautiously as those in it prefer to lead secret live, she says.

A journalist turned Businessman, John Karani says Miraa business unlike other businesses is operated informally.

In the trade, statements of account are kept on the back of cigarettes packets yet it is one of the most lucrative agricultural sector, he avers.

Miraa trees are the commercial properties of the locals, says Karani adding the trees require minimal tending and are self nourishing during the rainy season.

Miraa dealers treat visitors to the area suspiciously but the produce is not classified as an agricultural cash crop but as a narcotic with serious side effects to the chewers.

In July 2006, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency mounted ''Operation Somalia Express" targeting an international smuggling ring which had imported 25 tonnes of Miraa of value 10 million dollars visited the area and interrogated several dealers sending fear to the merchants. The plant is illegal in America and is classified as class one narcotic.

The Meru community in addition to selling miraa for economic gains also use it for traditional ceremonies like marriage and other social events where Miraa gifts are exchanged.

The community's famed council of elders known as "Njuri Ncheke" have enforced rules to ensure that women and children are not allowed to chew Miraa.

In the rules, young men are only allowed to chew miraa with permission and guidance from the elders. It is also given to the young as a passage rite from a child to adulthood.

In addition to long term Miraa health hazard of causing low libido to men, it causes discolored teeth, mouth ulcers, sore throat, dilated eyes and sleeplessness among other disorders.