Kenya Moves to Protect Macadamia sector as Pest Losses Hit ksh 2.88 Billion Annually

 

 The government has announced sweeping measures to safeguard the country’s macadamia industry following revelations that destructive pests and harmful pesticides are causing annual losses estimated at ksh 2.88 billion.

agriculture cabinet secretary sen. mutahi kagwe on thursday issued firm directives after industry leaders warned that up to 40% of kenya’s macadamia production—equivalent to 17,640 metric tonnes—is being destroyed each year by surging pest infestations worsened by climate change.

the announcement came during a high-level meeting attended by macadamia by macnuts chairperson jane maigua, pyrethrum processing company of kenya (ppck) acting ceo njoroge wachira, and pest control products board (pcpb) ceo fredrick muchiri.

macadamia losses reaching critical levels

maigua reported that kenya produces 45,000 mt of macadamia annually, with 44,100 mt deemed marketable, but a significant share is lost at farm level due to insect damage. the losses include 2,222.64 mt of high-value export-grade kernels, translating into billions of shillings in forfeited revenue.

she added that processors are incurring additional costs in electricity and labor as workers spend long hours sorting insect-damaged nuts before packaging.

kephis: stink bugs leading the destruction

according to the kenya plant health inspectorate service (kephis), stink bugs remain the most devastating pest, injecting saliva into nuts during flowering and leaving internal discoloration and kernel damage.

other major threats include:

• nut borers — penetrate hardening shells and feed on kernels
• lace bugs — attack leaf undersides, causing yellowing and premature leaf fall
• moths — damage young fruit before husk hardening
• thrips — now spreading faster due to rising temperatures, damaging flowers and reducing nut set
• rats — causing widespread losses in plantations

kephis warned that climate change has intensified pest pressure, making conventional chemical pesticides less effective and increasingly risky due to strict international residue limits.

pcpb fast-tracking organic and pyrethrum solutions

the pest control products board outlined emergency provisions that allow swift approval of organic and pyrethrum-based pesticides once pest pressure is confirmed by ppck and kephis.

pcpb ceo muchiri said the board can immediately approve emergency-use products, initiate efficacy trials, set scientific application rates, and guide counties on farmer training to prevent residue limit violations that threaten kenya’s premium export markets.

he emphasized that pyrethrum-based solutions would be prioritized provided they meet safety and effectiveness standards, noting the urgency to reduce dependence on imported synthetic chemicals—currently exceeding 20 million kilograms annually.

government orders immediate sector reforms

cs kagwe directed afa kenya, kephis, pcpb, and county governments to:

• intensify farmer education through radio and field extension programs
• promote integrated pest management (ipm)
• reduce reliance on imported synthetic pesticides
• expand access to safer, residue-compliant pest control alternatives
• strengthen kenya’s pyrethrum value chain to support local manufacturing

he stressed the need to rebuild the pyrethrum industry so processors such as ppck can provide affordable, effective pest management options that both protect yields and meet export standards.

protection of ppck intellectual property

the cs also issued strict orders to safeguard the scientific formulation data belonging to ppck, cautioning that any private firm using the data must pay for access or risk immediate withdrawal of access rights.

“ppck’s scientific data is a valuable national asset,” kagwe said. “protecting this intellectual property is essential as we grow a robust domestic pesticide industry.”

the new directives are expected to form the backbone of an accelerated national response aimed at stabilizing kenya’s macadamia sub-sector, one of the country’s top horticultural exports.

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