Macadamia farmers across key growing regions are raising alarm over what they term as selective enforcement of a government ban on harvesting of the nuts.
The farmers claim that some traders have continued to buy macadamia from farms openly despite clear restrictions.
The ban, imposed by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), bars harvesting and trading of macadamia nuts between December 1, 2025, and February 15 to allow the crop to mature.
The licensed traders under the Nut Traders Association of Kenya (NUTAK) argue that they have complied as farmers accuse some processors and unlicensed agents of exploiting weak enforcement to continue business as usual.
Concerns over the unfolding situation dominated a crisis meeting held at Kenol Market in Murang’a and chaired by NUTAK chairman Johnson Kihara.
Traders and farmers present faulted the regulator for what they described as reluctance to decisively enforce its own directive, creating room for unscrupulous dealers to thrive at the expense of growers.
Their frustrations were heightened by an incident earlier this week in Ithekahuno Market, Nyeri County, where unlicensed agents were arrested with seven tonnes of macadamia nuts.
According to NUTAK officials, both the suspects and the consignment were later released under unclear circumstances, further fueling claims of regulatory failure.
Kihara said farmers feel abandoned and are now appealing directly to the national government for intervention.
He noted that growers are pushing for reforms to Section 43(A) of the law to allow year-round harvesting, arguing that exporting macadamia nuts in-shell earns farmers better returns.
“We are proposing that the government allow 40 percent of macadamia exports to be in-shell and 60 percent processed. This would balance farmer earnings and local value addition,” Kihara said.
He added that inconsistent policies have left farmers vulnerable to price manipulation, revealing that currently a kilogram of macadamia nuts is selling at about Sh40, a sharp drop from the Sh100 minimum price announced two years ago.
Farmers affiliated with NUTAK and Macadamia Growers Kenya have since petitioned President William Ruto, seeking an audience to discuss what they describe as deep-rooted challenges in the multi-billion-shilling sector.
“We feel frustrated by AFA and the Ministry of Agriculture for delaying action against illegal traders who seem to operate freely. If the ban exists, it should apply to everyone,” remarked Kihara.
A Kirinyaga-based farmer, Muriithi Gichabi, went further to ask AFA to rein in unscrupulous traders who are not adhering to the given restrictions on harvesting and trading of the nuts.
“In the villages, chiefs and police officers are not even aware that there is a ban. Farmers see traders buying nuts openly, so they feel compelled to sell,” he observed.
Another farmer, Peter Thogo from Mukurwe-ini, said poor oversight has allowed the sale of immature nuts, thus damaging Kenya’s reputation in the international market.
“Macadamia farmers demand fairness. From our observation, nuts at our farms are mature and ready, but rules must apply equally to all players,” noted Thogo.
By Bernard Munyao
