DP Gachagua vows to remove cartels, brokers in coffee production

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday promised to get rid of cartels in the coffee sub-sector and work with stakeholders to address the challenges affecting farmers' income.

DP Gachagua said the government will deal firmly with the multiple brokers and middlemen in the coffee production chain so as to improve the situation of the farmers.

"There are multiple brokers between the coffee farmer and the consumer. Those brokers have oppressed farmers for many years. President William Ruto gave me the mandate to lead the exercise of removing the middlemen so the farmer can reap more," said the Deputy President.

Speaking at St Benedict Wamutitu Secondary School in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, after launching a school bus, Gachagua said he has convened a three-day coffee stakeholders' conference in Meru to address the challenges facing the sector. 

The bus was purchased through the Mukurweini National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).

The DP said the coffee conference will be held in Meru from June 6 to 8, 2023 and the stakeholders expected to attend include government officials, lawmakers, Governors, coffee farmers, experts, marketers and roasters among others.

"After the three days we will decide on the way forward such as proposals on legal reforms and the strategies to deploy so that the coffee farmers can regain the lost glory of the sub-sector and have money in their pockets," said Gachagua.

In January, President Ruto tasked the DP with leading the coffee sector reforms spearheaded by the Coffee Sub-Sector Reforms Implementation Standing Committee.

Leaders accompanying the Deputy President were Nyeri Deputy Governor David Kinaniri and MPs Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia Woman Representative), Patrick Munene (Chuka Igamba-Ng'ombe) and Dr Robert Pukose (Endebess).

Also present were Members of County Assembly of Nyeri and national government administration officers.

In regard to the ongoing operation by the government against illicit brews in the Central Kenya region, the leaders lauded the exercise.

"We are excited that the results of the operation can be seen. Families that had broken down have started to reunite," said MP Munene.

The Deputy President also asked chiefs and their assistants to put more effort towards the exercise.

He said the reluctant administrators and those taking bribes from the illicit brew traders risk losing their jobs for failing to discharge their mandate.

"I do not want them to lose their jobs but if they fail we will have to part ways. I cannot allow a situation where we will lose a generation because of illicit brews,” he said.

“Stop associating with those operating the illicit brews and illegal alcohol. Those bribing you will dump and avoid you once you lose your job.”