Women Participation in Miraa (Khat) Business and the Academic Performance of Primary School Children in Runyenjes Division, Embu, Kenya
Dr. Jane Ciumwari Gatumu, Nicasio Njue, John Rugendo Chandi

Abstract
The investigation aimed at establishing the relationship between miraa business as an occupation among women and the academic performance of the primary school pupils based on: nature of miraa business, time spent in miraa business, years of participation in miraa business and the women’s attitudes towards miraa business. Focus was on the responses of the women participating in miraa business in the four main miraa trading centers namely Ena, Kawanjara, Gikuuri and Runyenjes as well as the head teachers’ in primary schools where the children of the respondents studied and the standard eight examination results. The findings revealed that miraa business among women impacted negatively on the academic performance of the primary school pupils in Runyenjes division. The academic performance of pupils was significantly influenced by the three independent variables: the nature of miraa business, time spent in miraa business and the number of years their mothers had participated in miraa business. The fourth independent variable (attitude of their mothers towards miraa business) had small influence on the academic performance of the pupils.

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