CS Mutahi Kagwe Acts to Protect Kenya’s Macadamia Industry from Pests

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced urgent measures to protect Kenya’s macadamia sector. Pests and harmful pesticides are destroying nearly 40 percent of annual production.

Kagwe spoke at a high-level meeting with industry leaders. Farmers are suffering massive losses due to climate change and invasive pests. The pests damage flowers, bore through shells, weaken leaves, and cause early nut drop.

Jane Maigua, Chair of the Macadamia Association of Kenya (MACNUT), said Kenya produces around 45,000 metric tonnes annually. Of these, 44,100 tonnes are marketable. However, about 17,640 tonnes are lost to pests, including 2,200 tonnes of exportable kernels. She said the losses cost Ksh2.88 billion yearly. Processors also spend more on labour and electricity to sort damaged nuts.

KEPHIS said stink bugs are the main threat, followed by nut borers, lace bugs, moths, thrips, and rats. Stink bugs destroy kernels. Nut borers eat inside shells. Lace bugs attack leaves. Moths damage nuts before hardening, and thrips infest flowers due to rising temperatures. Rats remain a major problem. KEPHIS warned that climate change is worsening pest attacks and reducing chemical pesticide effectiveness.

The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) outlined emergency measures to fast-track organic and pyrethrum-based pesticides. Once PPCK and KEPHIS confirm pest pressure, PCPB can approve emergency-use products, run trials, and train farmers. CEO Fredrick Muchiri stressed using pyrethrum solutions to reduce reliance on over 20 million kilograms of imported pesticides annually.

CS Kagwe instructed AFA, KEPHIS, PCPB, and counties to expand farmer awareness campaigns via radio and field services. He stressed protecting export markets and reviving the local pyrethrum value chain. Kagwe also warned private firms against using PPCK’s scientific data without paying. “If it is not in law, we do it and pass it in Parliament,” he said, calling the data a national asset and revenue opportunity.