Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has launched a crackdown on unlicensed dealers and processors of macadamia nuts in 14 counties in central Kenya and the coast.

The exercise is meant to protect farmers from exploitation, maintain quality and minimise rising smuggling of the produce from farms before it matures, according to government officials.

Speaking to journalists after an operation that nabbed an unlicensed dealer at Kiganjo in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, AFA Deputy Head of Directorate of Nuts and Oil Crops Patrick Kirimi said the offenders will face charges of smuggling.

Mr Kirimi explained that the operation is ongoing in all the 14 macadamia-growing counties to check malpractices that are not only against the law but also harm farmers.

“We are currently enforcing the crops, nuts and oil crops regulations of 2020, specifically in the field of macadamia because this is the peak season for the harvesting macadamia and it has been reported that there are malpractices that are going on  in the counties,” he said

He explained that for one to trade in macadamia, they are supposed to register with the relevant authorities and get a licence to do clean business. However, the business has been infiltrated by unscrupulous traders who are buying the produce without a licence.

“We want to maintain our quality and those unregistered traders are buying immature nuts from farmers, which affect the quality of the produce that we are exporting,” Kirimi said.

In Gatundu, AFA officials who were accompanied by police officers pounced on the unlicensed dealer whom they found receiving macadamia nuts, arrested him and carted away part of his equipment.

Noting that macadamia exports earned the country Ksh5 billion in 2024 and that the proceeds are on an upward trend, Kirimi said the authority is working with stakeholders to ensure farmers reap more from their sweat.

He said that among players that AFA is bringing on board are farmers, processors, marketing agencies and exporters to enhance production and have a structured value chain.

The official also noted that Kenya is currently the third biggest producer of macadamia nuts in the world after South Africa and China, a feat that he said the authority is committed to retaining and improving on.

Kirimi also appealed to processors to abide by the law as they stand to benefit from lawful processing and export of quality nuts, which fetches better prices in international markets. This, he added, will also help create more jobs and improve family livelihoods.

Those trading in macadamia illegally, he warned, risk being fined Ksh500,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years or both for contravening the regulations.

In the past year, Kenya ranked third in the world in exports of macadamia and according to AFA, the country wants to be at the top. This, they say, can only be done through tracing back source of the produce

AFA’s strict seasonal regulation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that locally produced nuts meet global standards, while also enhancing the country’s competitive position in international markets.

• A Tell Media / KNA  report / By Wangari Ndirangu