The government of Kenya has deported eight macadamia cartels said to have been exploiting farmers in the country.
Cooperatives Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui while speaking in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County on Wednesday stated that deporting these cartels would help macadamia farmers get better prices for their produce.
According to CS Chelugui, the cartels were acting as middlemen, purchasing the nuts at lower prices from the farmers and blocking them from getting better market prices.
“We have had foreigners who have been traversing the country and buying macadamia including the unripe ones from our farmers. That is why when our farmers fail to get a market for their produce, they sell them at throwaway prices,” the CS said.
Moreover, CS Chelugui while announcing the deportation of the eight macadamia cartels conveyed Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to ensuring that brokers and cartels are removed from the market to cushion farmers from exploitation.
He further noted that the government would lay out structures to empower farmers and safeguard the market through Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
“We want to recognize the macadamia and I think the Agriculture Minister will be making some pronouncements on how we want to restore the prices of macadamia to where we were before,” he stated.
Also Read: CS Murkomen – Govt’ Projects Stalled Due to Budget Shortfall
“The Ksh. 250 per kilo is a complete shame. We allowed this crop to be taken over by cartels who ended up abusing farmers. The people have been eliminated and we are coming up with a new and reorganized way of pricing and marketing macadamia.” CS Chelugui added.
