The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has said it will conduct a thorough investigation into Uji Power and Okra to confirm their authenticity.
The common belief among some Kenyans is that okra and Uji Power boosts sexual wellness.
Uji power is a powdered mixture used to make a special type of organic porridge with several ingredients.
On the other side, Okra is a vegetable whose chopped pots are soaked in water overnight to create a liquid believed to offer health and sexual benefits.
KEBS official issued the directive during a media workshop in Naivasha after a journalist inquired about whether Uji Power and Okra adhere to prescribed standards.
“This is intelligence that we have received, and we shall embark on an investigation immediately,” Director Market Surveillance Peter Kaigwara said on.
Kaigwara added that he will direct his team of market surveillance officers to scrutinize the products and potentially disclose their findings to the public regarding their authenticity.
KEBS to Launch Probe of the two Products
“My team will definitely look into this with the sole aim of establishing if they meet the standards,” he said.
Geoffrey Karau, Director of Quality Assurance and Inspection stressed the need for other relevant agencies to address concerns regarding Uji Power and Okra.
He specifically recommended that the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEFIS) investigate Okra, while the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board (KPPB) should handle matters related to Uji Power, as KEBS considers examining their authenticity.
Myths on Uji Power
Claims that Uji Power works wonders for some men continue to inundate social media, with some even going as far as declaring that they cannot go a day without consuming the now popular concoction.
Uji Power contains ingredients such as cassava, arrowroot, pumpkin and pumpkin’s seeds, groundnuts blended with milk, cinnamon, sesame seeds honey or sugar.
Many assert that Uji Power porridge boosts libido because of it is contents like groundnuts, Sesame and pumpkin seeds. This remains unverified.
Others believe that Mondia whitei (mukombero) roots associated with ‘manpower’ is also among the ingredients of making the flour.
Also Read: KEBS Explains Why it Rejects White Sugar Imports
What is Okra
Okra is a flowering plant that is known in many parts of the world as ladyfinger or bhindi and is highly prized because of its seed pods.
It has a mild taste and a unique texture, with a peach-like fuzz on the outside. Inside the pod are small, edible seeds.
Okra is a multipurpose crop due to its various uses of the fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems and seeds.
Its immature fruits (green seed pods), which are consumed as vegetables, can be used in salads, fresh or dried, fried or boiled.
Often the extract obtained from the fruit is added to different recipes like soups, stews and sauces to increase the consistency.
Its seeds are a source of oil and protein and have been used on a small scale for oil production.
Others use the Okra water as a traditional and alternative therapy for diabetes.
Also Read: KEBS Effects New Ethanol Use Rules After Ruto Order
Health Benefits of Okra
Okra mucilage has medicinal applications when used as a plasma replacement or blood volume expander.
Okra contains high fiber, which “helps to stabilize blood sugar by regulating the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract”.
Because of fiber along with other nutrition, okra shows useful for minimizing blood sugar levels within the body, assisting along with diabetes.
The fiber likewise helps support blood sugar levels level simply by slowing down sugar assimilation through the intestines.
Myths Associated with the Vegetable
Drinking okra water improves one’s chances of getting pregnant.
Also, the claims that okra boosts fertility and eases labour are unproven and there is no specific scientific evidence to support the claim.
However, the vegetable produces folate which is important for preventing fetal problems during pregnancy.
Low folate levels can lead to pregnancy loss and problems for the child, including conditions such as spina bifida.
