Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned the management of coffee cooperative societies against enslaving farmers with poor payments on their produce within the agricultural sub-sector.

Mr Gachagua has directed the Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperatives to crack whip on rogue management of the societies and entrench transparency in them.

“It is unacceptable that despite the rigorous reforms of transforming the coffee value chain, governance of cooperatives has remained an impediment in freeing and empowering our farmers,” Mr Gachagua said.

The DP was speaking at Kabiru-ini grounds in Nyeri Town constituency on Friday where he graced the official opening of the 2024 Central Kenya national agricultural show.

“I have asked the Ministries of Cooperatives and Agriculture to fast-track the administrative and legal actions to enhance transparency and accountability in cooperative societies. This includes direct payment to coffee farmers from the Direct Settlement System (DSS),” Mr Gachagua said.

“For full disclosure, cooperative societies must publish and make known their course and deductions to their members,” he added.

He said that President William Ruto’s administration has mobilized resources to ensure compliance with the European Union (EU) deforestation regulations before the December 30, 2024 deadline.

This, he added, will enable the country to retain its profitable EU market which accounts for over 55 percent of our coffee export.

He challenged higher learning institutions to focus on affordable solution-based innovations meeting climate change.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Dr Andrew Karanja said: “I am fully aware of the high expectations of my ministry to ensure food security and support the livelihoods of our citizens”.

“I assure all Kenyans that my ministry will continue to foster a conducive, policy and regulatory environment that will drive technology-based national agricultural development,” he added.

Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) national chairperson Anabelle Kirinya appealed to the government to assist them in acquiring a user license for Kabiru-ini show grounds.

“We have a land use masterplan for Kabiru-ini showground. However, we are yet to secure its land ownership documents. We seek the government’s intervention to assist the ASK in acquiring the use license so as to enable implementation of the masterplan,” Ms Kirinya said.

This theme for this year’s Central Kenya national show was: “Promoting climate smart agriculture and trade initiative for sustainable economic growth”.

The four-days show cuts across agriculture, manufacturing, housing, small and medium enterprises, public and private institutions, hospitality and education sectors.

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Biashara DT Sacco Society Limited, Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company (NYEWASO) are among the exhibitors who scooped awards for various categories.

Other guests who attended the event were Kenya Seeds Company board chairperson Purity Ngirici, ASK chief executive officer (CEO) Batram Muthoka and ASK Nyeri branch chairman Patrick Karinga.

Leaders present were Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), MPs James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Kamau Munyoro (Kigumo), George Koimburi (Juja), Teresiah Wanjiru (nominated). Former Mukurwe-ini MP Anthony Kiai and former Laikipia woman representative Cate Waruguru also accompanied the DP.

Recently, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya disbanded the management of Barichu Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County.

During a tour to the society at Karatina town where he held a meeting with thousands of farmers, Mr Oparanya ordered the management to vacate office immediately and pave the way for fresh elections.

The CS also directed the Commissioner for Cooperatives David Obonyo to institute an inquiry into mismanagement of the society.

The directive came after farmers lamented that the leadership of the society had been embezzling their money.

“Our President is committed to ensuring that farmers get value for their produce. Therefore, I direct the board of this society to step aside immediately,” Mr Oparanya said.

“I entered this office barely three weeks ago, but I have realized that many coffee cooperative societies in the country are rotting. Money belonging to farmers has been embezzled and we will not allow that to continue happening,” he added.

He appointed Nyeri County director for Cooperatives Peter Theuri to oversee operations of the cooperative society pending the elections that will be held during the society’s annual general meeting (AGM) on September 18, 2024.

“We want all persons who have embezzled money belonging to farmers to be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. We are directing the DCI and EACC to step in and investigate the mismanagement of this cooperative society and charge those found to have misused farmers’ resources,” Mr Oparanya said.