December 11, 2025
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) won first place in the Support Services Government Agencies category at the 2025 Avocado Society of Kenya awards held at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi. The annual event honours individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the growth of avocado production and exports in Kenya.
The Chief Guest, Kiharu MP Hon. Ndindi Nyoro, lauded the winners, urging them to maintain high standards of quality to sustain Kenya’s reputation in the export market.
Representing KEPHIS Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui, Dr. Isaac Macharia, Director of Phytosanitary and Biosecurity Services, highlighted Kenya’s status as Africa’s leading avocado exporter and the 10th largest globally. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this ranking through consistent quality and compliance.
Dr. Macharia also announced KEPHIS’s successful efforts in opening new avocado markets in China and India, expanding Kenya’s global reach. “We will continue to train exporters and other stakeholders to ensure market compliance,” he added, underscoring KEPHIS‘s commitment to supporting the industry’s sustainable growth and competitiveness.
Kenya ranks as Africa’s top avocado exporter and 10th globally, driven by varieties like Hass that dominate shipments to Europe, China, and emerging markets. KEPHIS has facilitated access to high-value destinations such as the People’s Republic of China and India through rigorous phytosanitary measures and certifications. The Avocado Society of Kenya organizes this annual event to honor contributors advancing production and exports, fostering competitiveness in the sector.
As a statutory body, KEPHIS regulates pests, weeds, and invasives while promoting certified seeds and sustainable practices. Recent efforts include tree donations, 250 Hass avocado seedlings among 1,000 trees, to support industry growth.