Ruto declares war on miraa cartels, promises better prices for farmers

President William Ruto has vowed to dismantle miraa cartels operating in producing counties, assuring farmers that they will soon enjoy better earnings from the crop.

Speaking in Maua, Meru, Ruto declared that cartels sabotaging the miraa trade must either cease their activities, face jail time, or leave the country.

“We have made a declaration here in Maua. All cartels ruining the miraa business should leave this country because we want this trade to thrive like other agricultural sectors,” he said on Wednesday.

He cited the government's success in reforming the coffee sector, where farmers are now receiving higher prices, and promised to apply the same measures in the miraa industry.

Ruto announced several government interventions, including classifying miraa as a cash crop, setting new gazetted prices, and expanding export markets.

He revealed that he has engaged with leaders from Somaliland and Jubaland to secure international markets for miraa.

“The same way we are helping tea, coffee, and sugarcane farmers find better markets, we are also supporting miraa farmers. That is why we have gazetted new prices,” Ruto stated.

The president also reaffirmed his strong political ties with the Mt. Kenya region, emphasizing that he will protect the relationship he has nurtured over the past two decades.

“The friendship I have made with the people of the mountain of over 20 years will continue, and I will not allow anyone to break it,” Ruto said.

He assured residents that their interests would be safeguarded alongside those of other regions, pledging to fulfill the promises he made during his campaign.

Ruto was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, several Cabinet Secretaries, and elected leaders.

In February 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture announced new miraa prices in a move that has doubled the cost of Grade 1, Grade 2, and Alele varieties.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new prices take effect immediately.

“The government will continue to address the market access challenges to expand on export opportunities in our current and new markets,” he said.

A kilogramme of Grade 1 miraa will now cost Sh1,300 from Sh700, while the price for the same quantity of Grade 2 has gone up to Sh700 from Sh350.

The price of a kilogramme of Alele has increased from Sh500 to Sh1,000.

Kagwe noted that the Miraa Pricing Formula Committee was established pursuant to provisions of regulation 29 of the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023, with an objective of providing advisory to the industry regarding the pricing of Kenyan miraa.