The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has deregistered the Avocado Association of Kenya (ASOK) over claims of misconduct and breach of membership laws.
AFA's Horticultural Crops Directorate accused the Association on Monday 15th January of misinformation and miscommunication on the avocado export trade.
Earnest Muthomi, CEO of the ASOK had been attacking fruit exporters, which threatens multi-billion deals with avocado buyer, especially those in the Middle East.
Allegedly the ASOK has been advertising the export of immature avocados to local and international markets despite the official closing of the export season, they are also said to have told the UAE Embassy as well as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development that Kenyan avocados in their markets were contraband and that they should be removed from the supermarkets.
According to the letter issued by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) the association also made unverified allegations against export companies, the Authority and its officers which harmed their reputation.