Kenya’s agricultural economy is facing a major crisis, as brokers the middlemen who connect farmers to markets have taken control of the food supply chain. The impact is stark: while farmers in rural areas are forced to sell their produce for painfully low prices, consumers in urban centres are paying ever-increasing amounts for basic staples like maize, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The disconnect between production and consumption is growing wider, and at the centre of this broken system are the brokers who exploit the lack of regulation to maximize their own profits.
Across Kenya’s fertile regions, smallholder farmers are toiling under difficult conditions. They work hard to grow food but have little control over the market. Once their crops are ready for harvest, they are often approached by brokers who offer cash on the spot — usually far below the market value. With no alternative, many farmers accept these offers, knowing that holding out for better prices could mean watching their produce rot due to lack of storage or access to transport.
On the other end of the chain, urban consumers face inflated food prices, especially in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. A product that leaves the farm at a throwaway price is sold in urban markets at more than triple its original value. The profits in between rarely benefit the farmers or the consumers; instead, they go into the pockets of brokers who have carved out monopolistic roles in the system.
The role of these middlemen has grown unchecked over the years, largely due to the absence of effective policies or oversight. While brokers do provide an important link between rural producers and urban markets, the scale of their control has become problematic. They set the prices, determine quantities, and even influence the timing of when produce hits the market. As a result, farmers are not only underpaid but also denied the ability to make informed decisions about their production cycles or market strategies.
One key issue is the lack of infrastructure and support services in rural areas. Poor roads, limited access to cold storage, and minimal transport options make it nearly impossible for farmers to bypass brokers. Even farmer cooperatives, which could serve as a means of collective bargaining and resource sharing, often struggle due to lack of funding, poor management, or political interference. As a result, individual farmers remain isolated and vulnerable.
The government has acknowledged the need to address the rising cost of food and improve farmers’ livelihoods, but concrete action remains slow. Calls for the establishment of regulated markets, price monitoring mechanisms, and greater investment in agricultural infrastructure have yet to materialize in any significant way. In the meantime, the informal power of brokers continues to grow, reinforcing a cycle of exploitation that undermines national food security.
There are, however, small but promising efforts taking shape. Some digital platforms are trying to connect farmers directly with consumers and retailers, offering real-time pricing information and logistics support. These initiatives could help reduce the influence of brokers and bring transparency to the market. Still, they remain the exception rather than the rule, often limited to pilot projects or specific regions.
Until Kenya builds a system where farmers can access fair markets and consumers can afford essential food without being overcharged, the grip of brokers will remain a powerful obstacle. Reforming the agricultural economy will require coordinated policy, investment in rural infrastructure, and a commitment to empowering the very people who feed the nation.
