The Ministry of Agriculture has dismissed as fraudulent a letter circulating on social media, falsely claiming to authorize the export of raw (in-shell) macadamia nuts. The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) confirmed that the letter, dated May 21, 2025, is a forgery that falsely includes the name and signature of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe.
Ban on Raw Macadamia Exports Remains in Effect
In a statement issued on May 25, the AFA reaffirmed that the ban on exporting raw macadamia nuts remains in full effect. The regulation, enforced under Section 43 of the Agriculture and Food Authority Act (2013), aims to promote local processing and protect Kenyan farmers from exploitation.
“AFA affirms that the letter in question is a forgery and was not issued through any legitimate channel. No exemptions to the ban have been granted as of the date of this release,” the statement read.
Call for Vigilance and Legal Action
The AFA has reported the matter to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, requesting a thorough investigation into the forgery. Stakeholders in the macadamia sector are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
“The Inspector General has been notified to facilitate investigations and ensure that those responsible for drafting and circulating this fraudulent document are prosecuted,” the AFA added.
Supporting Local Macadamia Processing
The ban on raw macadamia exports, initially implemented to boost local manufacturing and value addition, has been lauded as a pivotal move for Kenya’s agricultural sector. CS Mutahi Kagwe has consistently emphasized the importance of retaining the nuts for domestic processing.
“We maintain that Kenya will not lift the ban on raw macadamia exports, even if it means facing international trade barriers,” Kagwe stated in April. “Our focus is on building value addition locally, which benefits both farmers and manufacturers.”
Kenya ranks among the top three global producers of macadamia nuts, following South Africa and Australia. The government’s continued efforts to encourage domestic processing have also led to the production of macadamia oil, which has gained popularity as a high-quality cooking product.
