Mukombero: Meet Kakamega man adding value to the 'libido boosting' herb

This is Mondia Whitei, popularly known among the Western Kenya communities and indeed Kenya as Mukombero, a vine common with Kakamega Forest. 

Akolo says he has been dealing in Mukombero since 1999, but recently, through research, he has found more medicinal benefits of the vine, and he has now embarked on adding value to it with the aim of helping Kenyans and indeed the world. 

"This vine helps to thin cholestrol in human bodies, hence helping to fight ailments like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, Okalo says while chewing a Mukombero root. 

For a long time, many Kenyans have believed that Mukombero helps to boost libido among men. Akolo says this is true but most of the time it is in the mind of people. 

"What actually happens is that Mukombero thins the cholestrol in blood. This allows blood to flow well in all parts of the body. This then leads tp the firmness people talk about. But Mukombero is good for both men and women. In women it helps especially with lactating mothers. Milk flows freely," Akolo explains. 

Apart from grinding the herb into powder form for smooth consumption, Akolo is also now propagating the herb with the aim of increasing its population and help increase forest cover. 

His tree nursery is currently holding more than 1000 propagated Mukombero seedlings. He is targeting locals in Shinyalu, urging them to each plant at least 10 Mukombero seedlings on their fences. 

"There is the problem of climate change. With the help of the government, we want to help plant as many seedlings as possible, which will increase our vegetation cover and indeed help mitigate climate change," he further says.