Nairobi – In a bold step toward revitalizing Kenya’s agricultural sector, Hon. Gitonga Mukunji has today appeared before the Budget and Appropriations Committee to defend a legislative proposal that promises to transform the future of macadamia farming in the country. The proposed Macadamia Development Bill, 2024 seeks to introduce comprehensive regulations to govern the production, processing, marketing, and development of macadamia — one of Kenya’s most valuable export crops.

The Bill, a fulfillment of Hon. Mukunji’s earlier pledge to macadamia farmers in Embu County, aims to formalize and empower the sector by introducing a legal and institutional framework that ensures sustainability, transparency, and profitability for all stakeholders involved.

At the heart of the proposed legislation is the establishment of a Macadamia Development Board of Kenya, a regulatory body that will oversee every aspect of the value chain — from farm to export market. The Board’s mandate will include setting production standards, certifying processors, enhancing market access, and ensuring traceability of produce to meet international quality benchmarks.

“Today marks a great milestone towards empowering our macadamia farmers,” said Hon. Mukunji during his presentation to the committee. “This Bill seeks to strengthen the institutional framework of the sector and ensure that our farmers are at the center of Kenya’s growing macadamia economy.”

Kenya is currently among the top global producers of macadamia nuts, yet local farmers have long lamented the lack of regulation, exploitation by middlemen, poor market access, and minimal support in post-harvest processing. The Macadamia Development Bill is designed to address these challenges head-on, ensuring that the industry works for those who till the land and tend the trees.

By streamlining the value chain, the Bill is expected to attract local and foreign investment into the sector, create thousands of jobs, and ultimately increase household incomes for thousands of smallholder farmers across the country.

“Macadamia is our pride,” Hon. Mukunji added. “Our farmers deserve a system that works for them — not against them. With this legislation, we will be laying the foundation for a thriving, export-driven sector that uplifts rural communities and strengthens Kenya’s agricultural exports.”

The Bill’s tabling has already garnered support from stakeholders, including farmers’ associations, agribusiness investors, and policymakers who see the legislation as long overdue.

If enacted, the Macadamia Development Bill, 2024 could be a game-changer for Kenyan agriculture — placing the country firmly on the map as a world leader in quality macadamia production, while securing a brighter future for its hardworking farmers.

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