Following the letter issued by The Agricultural and Food Authority on Monday, 15th 2024, the Avocado Association of Kenya has been left soul-searching.
In the statement given by AFA, ASOK is accused of absent of good humour and giving tittle-tattle information on its foreign trade.
Why AFA deregistered Avocado Society of Kenya
Additionally, AFA also observed that the ASOK has massively violated membership laws, something which now left them with no option but to do the deregistration.
They also alleged that under the leadership of Ernest Muthomi, ASOK has an onslaught of fruit exporters, which is now depressing traders in the Middle East, like Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
Despite the Authority deferring the harvesting of the Avocado season and export by sea last year November, the Avocado Association of Kenya gave the order a deaf and even proceeded to publish an advert for exporting immure avocados, AFA alleged.
AFA also observed that ASOK gave a notification order to importers that their avocados in Kenyan Supermarkets were illegally imported and should consider doing away with them no sooner than later.
The authority asserted that not only did the AFA tarnish exporting businesses but also they failed to bow to the right protocols to submit their information.
“The conduct of ASOK and its leadership is counter-productive to the growth and development of the entire horticulture industry and hurts Kenyans trade ties with other countries, especially on the export of horticulture commodities,” Christine Chesaro, Horticultural Crops Directorate, Acting Director, pointed out.
Avocado lobby deregistered:
State deregisters Avocado Society of Kenya. Outfit accused of injuring Kenya’s horticulture industry.
AFA says society is spreading unverified info online #TheExplainer @YvonneOkwara pic.twitter.com/KiUJnDAtoL
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 16, 2024
How much does Kenya make from Avocado export?
Chesero noted that every year, Kenya receives a foreign currency of roughly KSh 19 billion from the export of Avocados.
“Kenya is the number one exporter of Avocadoes in Africa and number six in the world contributing a foreign currency of over Ksh 19 billion annually,” Chesaro said.
In the deregistration statement, Cheraso also suspended every business operation with ASOK arguing that the move is to shelter the horticulture industry’s esteem.
“The Authority under the Crops ( Horticultural Crops) Regulation 2020, para, 13, sub-section ( 1,2)and ( 3) is hereby officially deregistering ASOK and ceases to recognize it as an Industry Association,” Chesaro stated.
The Authority’s move was effective from yesterday 16th January 2024.
ASOK’s main objective was to promote efficiency and organized marketing industry towards long-term profitability of avocado agribusiness in Kenya and beyond but that now has received a reverse of misfortune.
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