Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has issued a stern warning to miraa traders, cautioning them against underpaying farmers and threatening to revoke their licenses if they fail to comply with agreed pricing.
Speaking during a farmers’ day event in Meru on Friday, Kagwe emphasized that transportation costs particularly those associated with air travel cannot be used as an excuse to pay farmers below the set minimum price. He revealed that the government is exploring alternative transport options, including lorries and pick-ups, to ensure affordability does not compromise farmers’ income.
“If you are saying that the price of transportation on a plane is high, we shall use lorries. We can use pick-ups,” Kagwe said. “We are telling the miraa buyers that it is in your interest to pay the farmer what we have asked you. I announced the prices after discussions with them.”
Kagwe further warned non-compliant traders to consider exiting the miraa trade. “As far as miraa is concerned, you will buy at the agreed price, or else AFA will delicence you,” he declared.
In a related announcement, Kagwe stated that the Pest Control Products Board will release a list of banned chemicals next week, aimed at aligning local agricultural practices with international standards. The CS also urged Parliament to stop creating new agricultural boards and instead focus on protecting farmers’ interests.
Turning to the macadamia sector, Kagwe reaffirmed that the ban on the export of raw macadamia will remain in place to protect local jobs and boost the value chain. He noted that the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has been directed to issue guidelines on recommended seedlings.
“Between July 2023 and February 2025, Kenya earned Sh8.7 billion from exporting 10,670 tons of processed macadamia, compared to Sh2.3 billion from 14,384.6 tons of raw macadamia,” Kagwe stated, highlighting the economic advantage of value addition.
The CS reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting local industries and farmers, particularly in the miraa, macadamia, and tea sectors, as part of a broader strategy to promote agricultural sustainability and economic growth.
