Kandara coffee growers support reform bill
By The Mountain Journal Team in Kandara
Kandara coffee farmers have endorsed the coffee bill recounting their frustration in payment despite hard work.
In a meeting convened by Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, the farmers said they were ready to support the bill following the challenges they have gone through after the sector went under in 1989.
Speaking at Kandara grounds, the farmers pleaded with the CS to come to their rescue as some of their coffee factories were at the threat of being auctioned due to debts.
Munya said the bill backed by President Uhuru Kenyatta is among the many initiatives that will be brought for the interest of coffee farmers.
“ The sector has money but there are people along the value chain who have been looting the farmers' proceeds. The bill will ensure there is transparency in all the undertaking,” said the CS.
The bill has a clause that the professional committee members will retire after servicing in two terms of three years each.
“ There are people who have served the societies for ages now its their time to exit. The milling decision will not be a board room affair as the farmers will be involved,” said Munya.
Led by Ithiru MCA Kibe wa Sarry, the farmers said the government should introduce a Guaranteed Minimum Return (GMR) that would cushion growers when the market fluctuates downwards.
“ Bwana CS the farmers are suffering due to the dues and require a waiver to enable the recovery of the sub sector,” said the MCA.
Ngararia MCA Simon Wamwea on his part recounted that majority of the coffee factories were on the verge of closing down following huge debts the farmers are unable to service.
“Kaimande and Ngararia coffee factories have a debt of Sh8.6 million. Several other factories have lost their land as the government appointed liquidators want to recover money to pay the debts,” said Wamwea.
The defunct Kandara cooperative society was among the largest producers of coffee in Murang’a before it split.
During the meeting Senator Irungu Kang’ata, MP Sabina Chege and Alice Wahome supported the introduction of the coffee reforms.
Present was Wakili Mbiyu Kamau who in the past two months had been educating the locals on the need to increase coffee production. Kamau has also been educating the locals on the need to support the BBI.
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