Kakamega Farmer Uses Popular Mkombero Roots To Make Wine, Juice And Tea: "It Has Been Tested"

• Kakamega farmer Reuben Shanda claimed that his mukombero wine and juice had been tested and approved in government labs
• Reuben is seeking to get other farmers involved in the wine-making business, which he claims can be very lucrative
• While mukombero is typically used to boost libido, another man, Chef Omoko Omoko, uses it as an ingredient in tea

A farmer from Kakamega has developed a new unorthodox recipe for making wine, juice, and tea.

How the mukombero wine, tea and juice are made

The farmer, Reuben Shanda, who works at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEMRI), uses 'mukombero' to make wine and juice.

In an interview with NTV, the farmer disclosed that the root Mukombera, aka White's ginger, claimed to increase men's libido, has several other uses.

Reuben, who grows the root in his home garden in Malava, Kakamega, says he thoroughly washes it to remove all the dirt before beginning fermentation.

He says he uses a stabiliser known as gum Arabic to prevent the drinks from having different concentration levels.

"This gum arabic...Its purpose in this juice and wine is to stabilise... to make the juice stable so that we don't get any sediments or different portions of the juice in the same bottle," he explained.

Reuben claimed that wine from the root has been tested and confirmed to be safe for consumption.

"We have tested the wine at government chemists, and they gave it a clean bill of health at almost 10%...almost 11% alcohol content," he declared.

Still in Kakamega, another chef named Omoko Omoko disclosed that he uses the root to make tea.

Omoko revealed that he crushes the root, boils it with milk, and then adds tea leaves for colour.

He added that he substitutes sugar for honey for clients who want their tea sweetened.

Further, Omoko shared plans to use mukombero in baking.

Laikipia women make wine from cactus

Elsewhere, a group of women in Laikipia County are making juice and wine from the cactus plant to generate income.

The group works under the Laikipia Permaculture Centre based in the Laikipia North sub-county.

The organisation's accountant, Hudson Narerio, says cactus is harmful to animals, and as such, the women have brought a solution to the livestock killer.

“When animals feed on cactus fruits, they block the throat, stomach or intestines hence killing them. The plant chokes grass hindering it from growing," KNA quoted Narerio.

Ann Tome, the organisation's administrator, said cacti had been a menace they are trying to eradicate in the area.

"Cactus spread through its fruits and we are using them to make jam, wine and juice," she said, adding they plan to start extracting oil from its seeds.