The Kenyan government has expelled eight macadamia cartels accused of exploiting farmers in the country. The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Simon Chelugui, stated on Wednesday in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, that this action would assist macadamia farmers in obtaining better prices for their crops.
The cartels were acting as intermediaries, purchasing nuts at lower prices from farmers and preventing them from receiving better market rates.
Foreigners have been purchasing macadamia, including unripe nuts, from farmers in Kenya, exacerbating the situation.
CS Chelugui expressed the commitment of the Kenya Kwanza administration to removing brokers and cartels from the market to protect farmers from exploitation.
Through Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, the government would establish structures to empower farmers and safeguard the market.
CS Chelugui stated that the government wants to restore macadamia prices to their previous level and has devised a new and reorganized pricing and marketing approach. The current rate of Ksh. 250 per kilo is a complete disgrace.
