Cooperatives commissioner Oboyo says gov't to obey ban on DSS method in coffee payments

The government says it will obey a court ruling on the termination of the Direct Settlement System (DSS) coffee payments model and ensure there is enough public participation with coffee farmers. 

Following a Kerugoya High Court ruling suspending the implementation of the DSS coffee payment model, the national government has assured farmers that there will be proper public participation across the country.

High court judge Edward Muriithi ordered the government to stop implementation of the DSS model for six months and ensure they have put proper mechanism and public participation to allow coffee farmers to give their views on the proposed regulations. 

Commissioner of Cooperatives in Kenya, David Oboyo, has assured coffee farmers that they will go around the country and engage them on the DSS payment model. 

Oboyo says that the government has heeded to court ruling and will not force coffee regulations on farmers. Instead they would ensure there is a proper mechanism for public participation and dialogue with farmers. 

He has also said that coffee societies with a low volume of production, less than 500,000 kilograms, will be merged to make the cooperatives strong and profitable.

On Sacco management, Obonyo has warned officials and the board of management over the embezzlement of Kenyans' hard-earned money. 

He said that they are taking stock of rogue saccos that have been defrauding their members, adding that the government is also in the process of merging small saccos