By Anderson Ojwang
In a move aimed at cushioning farmers from losses due to overproduction of mangoes, Murang’a Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata has directed farmers not to harvest the produce until further notice.
Similarly, the governor has moved to sell the mangoes to Food for Education for Murang’a and Nairobi school meals programmes.
Kang’ata, in his social media handles, wrote: “An overproduction of mangoes has caused manufacturers (Murang’a County mangoes’ usual customers) to slow uptake. Murang’a County has now opened a second window by selling to Food for Education for Nairobi and Murang’a school meals programmes. Deliveries are being made today at the Food for Education depot in Ruiru.”
In an advert captioned “The Glut in the Mango Market – Advisory to Farmers,” it read in part: “Favourable weather conditions — heavy rains in August 2025 followed by reduced rains in October 2025 — have resulted in overproduction of mangoes across Murang’a County.”
The overproduction has led to a market glut and low uptake, which could eventually result in a drop in prices and huge losses.
“This has led to a temporary market glut, causing slower uptake of our Murang’a mangoes by our usual manufacturers.
The county government is aware that some of the mangoes already harvested are yet to be collected by Lower Murang’a Cooperative officials,” read the advert in part.
Farmers were advised not to harvest the fruits until they receive express authorisation from the Lower Murang’a Cooperative officials.
“Farmers are strongly advised not to harvest the fruits until they receive express authorisation from the Lower Murang’a Cooperative officials.
Care must be taken during harvesting to avoid immature fruits, which have led to rejection by manufacturers.
The county government is currently negotiating a new direct sales window with Food for Education, an organisation implementing the primary school meals pilot programme in Murang’a County.
If successful, the county government will mop up already harvested mangoes from various parts of Murang’a, providing immediate relief to farmers.
We appreciate your cooperation as we work to stabilise the market and protect farmer income,” read the advert.
Mango farming in Murang’a County, particularly in the lower zones, is undergoing a transformation through a county-supported, cooperative-led model that has boosted prices from KSh 3 to KSh 23 per kilogram as of early 2026. The initiative links farmers to processors, reducing post-harvest losses and guaranteeing market access.
