Nairobi, May 5 -- For years, avocados were a staple on dining tables across Kisii and Nyamira counties, from rural villages to urban centres.

The fruit, available in multiple local varieties, was widely grown, with nearly every household boasting at least one tree.

"Avocados were plentiful, affordable and almost taken for granted," recalls Samson Nyamweya, a resident of Kisii town.

"They accompanied vegetables, enriched githeri and other meals, but their presence is fast disappearing-replaced by rising prices and empty stalls."

That shift has been gradual but unsettling. Once abundant on farms and roadside stands, avocados are now increasingly scarce.

"An avocado that sold for Sh10 now goes for Sh50, and even then, it's hard to find,...