You have heard of Mwonyo, right?  It sounds like some very exotic name; well it is not Mwonyo is what fancy people call sparkling water and learned fellows refer to as carbonated water or alkaline water and drunk people (walevi) call soda water or club soda. But Mwonyo is not artificially carbonated it’s naturally occurring carbonated water. How cool is that! No, it’s not water from kathima (well), you my Meru people I know you I am one of you, no it’s not sweet water it is Mwonyo! Call someone and ask if you have no idea what I am talking about, or just go to the supermarket and buy carbonated and taste it. Someone is asking if it is flavoured water, no it is not, help me help you.

Or better still go to Tharu in South Imenti near Ndagene Secondary school or Ndagene market. There you will find carbonated water. I have also not gone there I need to go there because as I was talking to my friend about this I asked very stupid questions. Like: Is Tharu a river? No. Is it a well? No. I even asked how deep the well is. Yeah, I am the one who asks the most stupid questions for you. She said the water just sips from the ground atop a stone and runs into a very shallow stream for all and sundry to fetch. It’s not protected so anyone can fetch it because it is in no man’s land. No one owns the land where it flows from.

Did I tell you I asked how long it’s been there? It has been there for over fifty years, yes people half a century and it doesn’t reduce in quantity. I asked her if it’s clear water because that’s what inquisitive people do, and yes it is clear but it tastes like it has bicarbonate of soda. No one even has ever questioned where it comes from people just enjoy what nature has given freely.

So because I haven’t been there I said that before right? I needed photos to show you how Tharu looks like. The photos I got came with people. Yeap, someone lied to us that a photo is not a photo if it doesn’t have humans captured. So there is no photo to go along for now until later.

Water that is naturally alkaline occurs when water passes over rocks — like springs — and picks up minerals, which increase its alkaline level. However, many people who drink alkaline water buy alkaline water that’s been through a chemical process called electrolysis, which uses a product called an ionizer to raise the pH of regular water. My friend, carries water in a twenty-litre jerry can from Meru to Nairobi that lasts her about two months, yeap she doesn’t joke.

You must be wondering why I am buzzing about naturally carbonated water. Apart from the fact that it is found in Meru, of course, it is in other parts of the world but you should know that is in Meru

Well here is why.

 Benefits of carbonated water

• Upset Stomach – Carbonated water can help to relieve stomach problems, such as indigestion or nausea
• Constipation – People with constipation may experience bloating, gas and painful bowel movements. Carbonated water may help to treat constipation in some people.
• It tames acid reflux -If you suffer from acid reflux, alkaline water may help.This is actually tried and tested by my friend.

• It helps you shed fat – The theory behind this claim is that your body uses fat cells to defend itself from acid. By drinking alkaline water, your body no longer needs protection from fat cells, and you’ll shed them. It is a theory so you can try test it.
• Blood sugar management – Mineral waters also commonly contain bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is actually found in the human body and helps maintain a healthy pH of the blood so it doesn’t become too acidic or too basic.
• Calms motion sickness –This is one of those sparkling water benefits that can really come in handy, especially when you’re on a long trip by car, bus, plane or boat. Motion sickness can really be quite miserable, but carbonated beverages without caffeine are known for their ability to help calm that queasiness.
• Hydration -Carbonated water hydrates you as well as regular water. This is very understandable

Did you know you can make it at home? The easiest way to make water alkaline is by adding baking soda to it. However, you only need a little bit. Just a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water will raise the pH.

Everything that has a benefit has a downside so here are a few I found for you but you can do your research:

• However, sparkling water can also wear out tooth enamel due to its carbonation
• Plus, while it’s healthier than soda and other artificially flavoured beverages, it’s definitely not as healthy as regular, pure water. Consuming it in moderation and opting for regular water the majority of the time.

Edit: You can also find carbonated water at Rurii in Tigania East bordering Tharaka and Riiji River in Gikumene. If there are any other locations in Meru where you can find Mwonyo please let us know. We will edit this article to include them so that you all don’t go and trample over each other at Tharu,Rurii and Riiji River.