Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday toured coffee factories in Githunguri, Kiambu County, to check on the progress of the ongoing reforms in the sub-sector and engage farmers on the Government-backed legal and policy changes.
During the working tour, Gachagua, who was in the company of various political leaders and subsector stakeholders, said he had delivered on the coffee reforms agenda and told off his critics.
He cited the success of Gathiru-ini Coffee Factory whose members were paid at a rate of Sh87 per kilogram of coffee this year, up from Sh13 in the previous year.
“I am grateful that the coffee reforms are working. The case of improved prices for Gathiru-ini Coffee Factory is evidence that we have delivered on the reforms agenda. The factory is now targeting a price of Sh110 per kilo and later Sh150. Those criticizing us do not understand the sector and have never been involved in farming,” he said.
He also asked Members of Parliament to hasten passage of the Coffee Bill, 2023 and the Cooperative Bill, 2023 to save farmers from debts and exploitation by brokers.
“We are urging MPs to fast-track passing of the two Bills (Coffee and Cooperatives Bills) into law so that the farmers can benefit more. The two Bills intend to benefit farmers and streamline leadership of the Cooperatives. We intend to revive the Coffee Board Kenya and the Coffee Research Institute to assist farmers get better coffee varieties,” explained Gachagua.
He visited Gathiru-ini Coffee Factory and joined hundreds of coffee farmers affiliated to Komothai Coffee Growers Cooperative Society during their Special General Meeting.
He also commissioned the cupping laboratory for the Cooperative Society.
In his remarks, Gachagua challenged the youth to take up leadership roles in Coffee Cooperative Societies and farming businesses.
Leaders present commended the Deputy President for his commitment to streamline the coffee sector citing increased earnings for small-scale farmers.
Led by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, the leaders commended the Gachagua-led coffee reforms saying this year’s payment rate in various factories has increased and that farmers have been able to question fiscal discipline of their Cooperatives.
“Coffee farming is a profitable activity that has been used by some people to exploit farmers leaving them impoverished. The ongoing reforms have aided farmers since their income has increased, closed factories have been reopened and farmers are now able to raise queries on financial expenditures in their Cooperatives,” said Wamuchomba.
She was supported by MPs Amos Mwago (Starehe) and Mary Wamaua (Maragua) together with Senators Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu) and John Methu (Nyandarua), who promised to continue lobbying for coffee matters including increased government assistance to the subsector.
“The reforms in the coffee industry must be sustained because farmers are benefiting and their income has increased. We have seen farmers also putting management of their cooperative societies to task over financial expenditure. The DP has really worked on the reforms. This year’s payout has increased. Various factories paid over Sh100 per kilogram,” said MP Wamaua as she urged the DP to push on with the reforms.
They spoke at Komothai Coffee Growers Cooperative Society during a farmers’ special AGM, where Mr Gachagua joined the forum and highlighted the Government’s achievements in the agriculture sector.
Gachagua assured that the Government would sustain the reforms.
He said that the Government will help coffee farmers access subsidized fertilizer through their cooperative societies.
“We are calling on our learned youth to engage in coffee farming and take up the leadership roles of the sector. They should lead in bringing the changes. I am impressed by the youthful leadership of Komothai Coffee Growers Cooperative Society Ltd as it has initiated changes that have made farmers increase their earnings and digitized operations of the company. We will plan how the Government’s subsidized fertilizer can reach coffee farmers through their societies. The government is committed to continue supporting the farmers,” said Gachagua.
He further asked the farmers-owned Cooperative Societies to keep off expensive loans from banks and instead borrow from the Government’s Cherry Fund.
“Avoid loans from commercial banks and instead borrow from the Cherry Fund and involve farmers before borrowing,” he told the Saccos.
The DP also visited Gathiru-ini Coffee Factory, which was reopened recently to inspect its operations.
Agriculture being the largest sector of the economy, contributing half of Kenya’s GDP, the Kenya Kwanza administration prioritized revival of coffee industry to boost the rural economy; a role DP Gachagua has been overseeing and is bearing fruit.
On politics, he asked Kenyans to remain calm over the political situation in the country.
“Let us be calm and watch. The people will make their own conclusions and decisions. I am comfortable because our people are intelligent and they know a lot,” he said.