Coffee farmers in Gichugu resort to repairing road by themselves, say poor conditions force sale to brokers

The farmers say the road from Mururi along the Mwea–Embu highway has become nearly impassable, forcing some to sell their coffee to brokers for immediate cash instead of delivering it to the factory.

Led by Rose Wangui, Susan Njeri, and Peterson Muriithi, the farmers noted that the poor road network has also made it difficult to transport produce to local markets.

They were seen using donkey carts to ferry stones sourced from quarries in Mwea. “This is not our responsibility but that of the government. We should be tending to our homes and livestock while schools are closed, but instead we are laying stones and the road remains in poor condition,” said Susan Njeri.

Peterson Muriithi expressed concern that Gichugu lags behind other constituencies in road development. “In constituencies like Ndia and Kirinyaga Central, most roads are tarmacked. We want to know from both the county and national governments: what did we do to deserve this? Are we part of Kenya?” he posed.

Rose Wangui said rainwater from the damaged road flows into her house. “We are calling on all elected leaders in Kirinyaga to intervene, as we do not know whether this road falls under the county or national government,” she said.

Hellen Nyaga, chairperson of the Mirichi Farmers Cooperative Society, said she purchased stones and murram while farmers volunteered their labour to repair the road due to lack of government support.

Nyaga, whose society manages Rianjue and Mburi coffee factories, said the poor road is negatively affecting production. “Our output has declined as brokers buy coffee at low prices and sell it at much higher rates. Farmers are unable to reach Rianjue Coffee Factory because of the road’s condition,” she said.

She warned that the practice of selling coffee cherries to brokers for quick cash undermines ongoing sector reforms and could weaken cooperative societies.