President William Ruto has committed to dealing with cartels in the miraa sector ruthlessly.
Speaking in Maua Town, Igembe South, during his Mt. Kenya tour on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Ruto used his trademarked ‘mambo ni matatu‘ phrase to warn cartels in the miraa sector of the impending purge.
Ruto told Maua residents that the businesspeople working in cahoots to deprive farmers of their rightful shares should either drop their antics or face jail.
The head of state, who did not pronounce the third option but allowed the residents to shout, implied that they would proceed to heaven for sabotaging the miraa sector.
“Kwa hivyo mimi nataka niwaeleza, wale ambao wametengeneza cartel ya miraa. Watu wa cartel ya miraa mambo yao ni matatu: either wakome na cartel ya miraa, ama mambo ya pili tuwapeleke jela, waende ile safari,” Ruto stated.
Which loosely translates to: “Those who have created a cartel in the miraa sector, you have three options: either you stop, I take you to jail, or you go the other journey,” Ruto stated.
He, however, informed Maua residents that his administration was keen on revitalizing the sector, which has experienced several challenges in the recent past.
This is after Meru leaders appealed to him to look into the matter, which they argued would accelerate development in the region.
Miraa prices
The latest pronouncement came months after the government doubled miraa prices.
A kilogramme of Grade 1 miraa will now cost Ksh1,300 from Ksh700, while the price for the same quantity of Grade 2 has gone up to Ksh700 from Ksh350.
The price of a kilogramme of Alale has increased from Ksh500 to Ksh1,000.
In a statement, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new prices would 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.
“In executing its duties, the committee reviews production data, cost, supply and demand among other parameters to advise the sub-sector,” he added.