The government plans to waive the debts owed by coffee farmers’ co-operative societies and unions in order to revitalize the sub-sector.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that he will continue to promote unity in the Mt Kenya region, regardless of political affiliations.
Mr. Gachagua has discussed the write-off of the coffee farmers’ debts with President William Ruto, and the President has endorsed the proposal.
The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMES, Simon Chelugui, has been instructed to prepare a memo to be presented to the Cabinet to initiate this process. Furthermore, the Ministry of Cooperatives will soon disburse the second batch of the Cherry Fund to farmers at a rate of Sh40 per kilo.
The Deputy President emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers to increase production and sales of coffee cherries.
Additionally, Mr. Gachagua highlighted the positive impact of reforms in the tea sub-sector, which have led to an increase in farmers’ income. These statements were made during the funeral service of Mr. Julius Kano Ndumbi, the Deputy President’s former teacher at Kianyaga High School.
Mr. Ndumbi was remembered as an educationist and disciplinarian who had a positive influence on the lives of many young people.
