Muguka farmers in Embu county have a reason to smile after a bill that threatened to strip the crop of state protection was dropped following the intervention of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The proposed amendment to the Crops Act 2025, introduced by Kilifi North MP and National Assembly Majority Whip Owen Baya, aimed to delist Muguka from the category of scheduled crops has been withdrawn.
Speaking in Embu County today, Kindiki said that the bill had been withdrawn after a series of high-level consultations.
“The sponsor has graciously agreed to drop the piece of legislation that was already in the First Reading in the National Assembly. We have been looking for a solution to this matter because we do not want to destroy this value chain which is quite critical to our economy. It also severely affected its cultivation, trade, and associated livelihoods,” said Kindiki.
The DP made this announcement during the opening of the first-ever National Macadamia Conference held at the University of Embu.
The push to remove Muguka had stirred widespread concern among farmers, especially from the Mt. Kenya region where the crop plays a significant role in rural economical growth.
Earlier Coastal region leaders had persistently called for it ban, citing its alleged negative health and social effects on consumers.
Several county governments in the Coast region had even imposed bans on its sale in 2024, escalating tensions between regions and national crisis.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Senator, MPs, Woman Representative and MCAs from the region have always sought an intervention to save Muguka farmers from the ban.
DP’s efforts appear to have averted a looming economic crisis in Muguka trade and preserved thousands of livelihoods tied to the crop’s value chain.
Kindiki also delivered a clear message on macadamia crop reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting farmers.
He said strict enforcement of the ban on the exportation of raw macadamia nuts will be taken to promote local value addition.
“We will be extra vigilant. We cannot allow farmers to be exploited. We will not allow our macadamia to be exported at throw away prices,” he added.
He further instructed Agriculture and Food Authority to ensure strict implementation of the export ban.
Kindiki noted the strategy aims at stimulating domestic processing industries, increase farmers’ earnings, and drive Kenya toward higher agricultural value retention.
He added Kenya stands as a global powerhouse in macadamia production noting that in 2024, the country produced 49,183 metric tonnes of raw nut-in-shell macadamia, a figure he said represented nearly 20% of global demand.
“The government is optimistic that the deliberate policy shift toward local processing and market protection will lead to better outcomes for farmers,”he added.
The DP underscored the importance of boosting local manufacturing capabilities and creating value at the source, rather than exporting raw products to international markets with little benefits.
