Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has ordered officials from the Kenya Coffee Society to sign a paper allowing farmers to access Sh3 billion in government funding.
Farmers were meant to be able to access the cash at a 3% interest rate starting July 1, 2019, according to the CS, but authorities prevented them by refusing to sign the document authorizing the money to be delivered to the various coffee societies’ accounts.
Speaking in Embu Munya, claimed officials had been refusing to sign the document. He further ordered the Embu county-based society officials a two-week deadline to sign the paper, failing which he would dismiss them and allow farmers to pick new leaders.
“In two weeks, the county administration will take the paperwork to various societies and have the authorities sign them.” Those who do not sign the paper within two weeks will be overthrown by the farmers, and new ones will be elected,” Munya added.
He went on to say that some officials have been collaborating with banking institutions to overcharge farmers on interest rates.
The Sh3 billion cherry advance revolving fund, according to the former Meru County governor, has been plagued by corruption since its inception by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Munya claims that this prompted his ministry to intervene and fire certain coffee industry executives, and that he may follow suit in the county coffee societies until farmers are paid what they are owed.
“To serve their personal interests,” according to the document.
Munya also asked farmers to continue registering so that the KCPU can process biometric cards that will allow them to access government services like as subsidized agriculture inputs.
He said that the government has allocated Sh.1 billion to the coffee sector to ensure that growers receive 40 percent subsidized field inputs.
The CS also stated that the ministry will equip manufacturers with farm inputs, allowing farmers to purchase the products at a 40% discount.
“We want to deal directly with the farmer, without the need of middlemen who have been blackmailing the farmers.” That is why I strongly advise everyone to register with the KPCU,” Munya remarked.