An Analysis of Miraa (Khat) Supply Chain in Kenya

Abstract

This project focused on analyzing the Miraa supply chain in Kenya. The research had three objectives. The objectives were,to identify the key components and model Miraa supply chains, to analyze the key constraints in the Miraa supply chains and to postulate improvements in the Miraa supply chains.This study was guided byStakeholders Theory, Total Quality management theory and theory of constraints. To achieve these objectives descriptive research design was used. Convenience sampling technique was used to identify the respondents. Data was collected through use of questionnaires from farmers, consumers, traders and transporters. A sample size of 100 respondents of key players in the Miraa supply chain that is farmers, consumers, traders and transporters was employed. The response rate was 90%.The respondents identified 41.1% Regulatory constraint, 28.9%Marketing Constraint, 15.6% production constraint and 11.1% logistics constraint as the key challenges facing Miraa supply chain in Kenya. Further, competition from Muguka(a Miraa variant) , lack of preservation facilities to increase Miraa shelf life and insufficient research on Miraa were identified as other constraints in the Miraa supply chain. To achieve objective three on various ways to improve Miraa supply chain standardization of Miraa prices, quality improvement through introduction of cold room facilities, refrigerated trucks, favorable government policies such as tax incentives and awareness campaigns were identified as remedies to improve the Miraa supply chain in Kenya. The study concludes that Regulatory constraint, Marketing constraint, production constraint and logistics constraint as key challenges facing Miraa supply chain in Kenya. Further, the study proposes favorable government policies, quality improvement measures, standardized pricing of Miraa as key remedies to improve Miraa supply chain in Kenya