By TWV Team
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has warned of a forged letter falsely authorising raw macadamia nut exports, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat cartels in the agricultural sector.
The letter, dated 21 May 2025 and circulating on social media, falsely bears the name and signature of Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. The government has dismissed claims that it permits raw (in-shell) macadamia exports.
In a statement on 25 May 2025, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) confirmed the letter was counterfeit and did not originate from the Authority or Cabinet Secretary. ‘Under Section 43 of the Agriculture and Food Authority Act, 2013, the ban on exporting raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts remains effective, with no exemptions granted,’ the Ministry stated.
The letter’s forgery is viewed as a desperate attempt by cartels to undermine policies protecting local farmers and promoting domestic value addition. CS Mutahi Kagwe has been leading efforts to dismantle networks profiting from unregulated exports of unprocessed produce.
The Ministry has urged stakeholders, including exporters, processors, and farmers, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the AFA or law enforcement.
This incident follows CS Kagwe’s statement on 12 April 2025, reaffirming that the government will not lift the ban on raw macadamia exports. The policy, designed to boost local industries and protect growers from exploitation, ensures Kenya maximises economic benefits from its high-quality macadamia crop.
Kenya ranks as the world’s third-largest macadamia producer, behind South Africa and Australia.
The export ban aims to create jobs, spur industrial growth, and enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the global macadamia value chain by enforcing domestic processing.
This attempt to bypass government policy through forgery highlights the resistance faced by agricultural reformers. The Ministry’s swift response signals its commitment to cleaning up the industry and ensuring farmers reap the full value of their produce.
