National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged coffee farmers in Bungoma County and across the country to take decisive action against corrupt cooperative officials who are exploiting them.
Speaking in Sirisia, Wetang’ula expressed serious concerns about the widespread mismanagement within coffee cooperative societies, which has resulted in many hardworking farmers not receiving fair compensation for their produce.
“I called on farmers to kick out rogue cooperative officials who shamelessly steal members’ hard-earned income,” Wetang’ula stated, emphasizing the need for farmers to reclaim control of their cooperatives.
The speaker pointed out that coffee farming is a vital economic activity for families in Mount Elgon and Kimilili, yet the efforts of these farmers are being undermined by a few individuals who prioritize personal gain over collective prosperity.
“In Bungoma, especially Mount Elgon and Kimilili, coffee farming sustains many families, yet corrupt officials keep robbing farmers of fair returns,” he added.
Wetang’ula highlighted the reforms introduced by the Kenya Kwanza administration in the agricultural sector, which have increased the price of coffee from Ksh 50 to Ksh 160 per kilo. These reforms also include provisions for free seedlings that mature within 15 months to revitalize the once-thriving coffee industry.
Despite these initiatives, Wetang’ula noted that many farmers are still not experiencing the benefits due to the actions of corrupt officials within cooperatives. “Owing to the Kenya Kwanza administration reforms in the agricultural sector, coffee prices have risen from Ksh 50 to Ksh 160 per kilo, and farmers now get free seedlings that mature in 15 months. However, due to mismanagement, farmers are not receiving what is due to them, and this must end,” Wetang’ula noted.
He criticized the current state of leadership within cooperatives, calling it unacceptable for a chairman with a small plantation to earn the most while genuine farmers receive little in return. He insisted that cooperatives must remain farmer-owned, transparent, and accountable to ensure fair treatment for all members.
