In the lush, volcanic hills of Meru County, a unique agricultural empire thrives under the canopy of multi-generational agroforestry. To locals, it is not just Catha edulis, miraa, or khat; it is “Green Gold.” This resilient shrub has educated generations, funded massive real estate projects, and created an exclusive class of low-profile multi-millionaires.
Yet behind the flashy transport vehicles and the multi-billion-shilling export figures lie deeply human stories of resilience, intense market volatility, and an elusive billionaire who transformed the trade into a high-flying aviation empire.
For decades, miraa farming has been a primary source of livelihood for families across Igembe and Tigania sub-counties. The crop demands intense care, specialized harvesting, and an incredibly fast logistics chain because the stimulant properties of the twigs degrade rapidly once cut.
The Widowed Matriarch: Editor Ncororo Kungutia
In her late 60s, Editor Ncororo Kungutia from Igembe South has spent most of her adult life tending to her expansive acres of mirra. For years, the crop was a blessing that allowed her to independently support her nine children following her husband’s passing.
“Miraa was our gold plant,” the editor explains, standing amidst her leafy shrubs. “We built homes and educated our children through this farming. But when diplomatic stalemates hit our international export routes to places like Somalia and European bans took effect, everything changed.”
For farmers like Editor, the greatest challenge today is the influx of unregulated middle-men. When export lines choke, local brokers manipulate farm-gate prices, forcing desperate farmers to sell their hard-earned harvests for a fraction of their worth just to keep the trees properly pruned.
The Resilient Trader: David Nguruni
At 53, David Nguruni from Antuamwae village recalls a time when a single harvest could easily fetch KSh 50,000. During the golden eras of uninterrupted trade, he acquired vehicles and properties entirely from his agricultural yields.
“When markets shut down overnight, we were left with tonnes of perishable twigs,” David shares. “I had to sell off assets just to keep my six children in school.”
Despite the heavy hits from regional geopolitics and market bans, David and his peers refuse to uproot their heritage. For them, miraa is a multigenerational permaculture enterprise—some trees on their farms have been harvested continuously for over half a century. With the recent reopening of markets in Somalia and new frontiers opening up in Djibouti and Israel, hope is steadily returning to the ridges of Nyambene.
Meet the Richest Miraa Tycoon: Musa Gurian
While regular farmers navigate the unpredictable tides of farm-gate pricing, one legendary figure stands at the absolute pinnacle of the industry. His name is Musa Gurian.
While many of Kenya’s wealthiest individuals built fortunes in real estate, banking, or politics, Musa Gurian built his multi-billion-shilling empire entirely on the back of the miraa trade.
Musa Gurian is widely recognized as one of the largest private aircraft fleet owners in East Africa. Because the export of fresh khat requires unparalleled speed to reach markets in Mogadishu while the leaves are still wet with morning dew, Gurian bypassed traditional road transport and took to the skies.
| Attribute | Profile of an Industry Titan |
| Primary Asset | A fleet of 12 private aircraft (primarily Cessna and Piper models) |
| Core Operation | Bulk logistics and international export of premium-grade miraa |
| Primary Markets | Somalia (Mogadishu), Djibouti, and regional hubs |
| Public Profile | Intentionally reclusive, low-profile, and rarely seen in mainstream media |
Gurian’s business model leverages absolute control over the supply chain. By purchasing premium yields directly from vast networks of farmers in Meru and deploying his own fleet of cargo planes, he avoids third-party logistics costs and ensures his product hits international markets ahead of any competitors.
While exact estimates of his net worth remain fiercely guarded secrets, the sheer logistical capability required to maintain, fuel, and fly a dozen functional aircraft daily places him firmly within the ranks of Kenya’s elite billionaires. He remains a living legend among Meru farmers—a testament to exactly how far the “Green Gold” can take those who master its volatile trails.
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