The government has announced a move to dismantle cartels operating within the miraa industry, accusing middlemen of exploiting farmers through inflated prices.
In a statement on Monday, April 21, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that the state will begin re-licensing miraa traders to curb exploitation and ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.
“There have been cartels in the miraa industry that have been exploiting farmers; they buy a kilo of miraa at Ksh200 and sell it for Ksh4,500.
"The licenses have also been controlled by a few cartels, that's why they are fighting back. As a government we have decided that we are going to re-license so that they adhere to the guaranteed minimum return so that farmers are not exploited," he said.
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This announcement comes barely a month after President William Ruto issued a stern warning to cartels who are exploiting Miraa farmers in Meru County.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 2, in Maua town, Meru County, the President said the Meru cartels only have three options.
Ruto said he would not allow the cartels to continue harassing Miraa farmers in Meru.
"I want to tell those who have formed a miraa cartel that they have three options: either they stop their cartel activities, we send them to jail, or they go on that journey.
"We have declared from Maua that all cartel members who are ruining the miraa trade must leave Kenya because we want the miraa business to operate like any other business,” he said.
Earlier in February, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced new prices for miraa products.
Through the Food Authority (AFA), the ministry revised the market rates after amassing views from the farmers.
The farmers submitted their views to the Miraa Pricing Formula Committee that was established to provide advice on the miraa market forces.
"The committee reviews production data, cost, supply, and demand among other parameters to advise the sub-sector. It met on 13th February 2025.
"Following the meeting, the government sanctioned that a kilogram of grade one miraa cost Ksh13,090, up from Ksh700, grade two to cost KSh Ksh700, up from Ksh350, and Alele to be sold at Ksh100, up from Ksh500," the ministry said.
