Gov't to write off coffee farmers' debts, DP Gachagua announces
![Gov't to write off coffee farmers' debts, DP Gachagua announces Gov't to write off coffee farmers' debts, DP Gachagua announces](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/124849/conversions/Gachagua-og_image.webp)
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a meeting on May 20, 2024. PHOTO | DPCS
The government will write
off debts owed by coffee farmers' cooperative societies and unions as part of
the intervention of revamping the sub-sector, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
said on Tuesday.
Speaking at Kabare Village
in Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua said he had spoken to
President William Ruto about the write-off of the coffee farmers' debts and the
Head of State endorsed his proposal.
"Debts of coffee
cooperatives, unions and Saccos will be waived. I have spoken to the President
and he has agreed that the same way debts for sugarcane farmers have been
waived it will apply to coffee farmers,” he said.
“Cabinet Secretary Simon
Chelugui (Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMES) has been instructed to prepare a
memo to be presented to the Cabinet so that we can start afresh."
The DP added that the
Ministry of Cooperatives will soon disburse to farmers, the second batch of the
Cherry Fund at a rate of Ksh.40 per kilo.
He emphasized that the government
is keen on supporting farmers to increase production and sales of the cherry.
Gachagua has been leading
reforms in the coffee, tea and dairy sub-sectors for the small-scale farmer to
earn more.
In his remarks, the Deputy
President also said reforms in the tea sub-sector were bearing fruits and
farmers' income has increased.
He spoke during the funeral
service of his former teacher at Kianyaga High School, Mwalimu Julius Kano
Ndumbi, 73.
Mr. Ndumbi was the Principal
of Kianyaga High School when the Deputy President was a student.
The Deputy President
eulogised Mr. Ndumbi as an educationist and disciplinarian, who loved and
shaped lives of many young people. At the time of his death he was serving as a
director at the National Irrigation Board.
"I have come to pay my
respect to my teacher, mentor, friend and a great man who moulded us to be what
we are today through mentorship and discipline. He has transformed many people
into great men of great minds,” he said.
“He was a great teacher and
could spot talents and support the same. He helped me to be a debater and the
same came in handy during the national debate ahead of the 2022 elections."
Narrating how he received
the news of Mr. Ndumbi's demise, the Deputy President said he "was on
seven days of fasting, prayers and meditating without a phone or any distraction
at Mt. Kenya forest, reflecting on the nation's direction."
At the event the Deputy
President was in the company of various leaders including Senators Kamau
Murango (Kirinyaga) and Veronica Maina (Nominated), as well as MPs Njeri Maina
(Kirinyaga Woman Representative), Mary Wamaua (Maragua), Gachoki Gitari
(Kirinyaga Central) and Ward Representatives led by Kirinyaga County Assembly
Speaker Muteti Murimi.
Area MCA Dr Isaac Muriithi
Mugo together with the County Government Executive Committee members and
Kirinyaga County Jubilee Party chairman Muriithi wa Kang'ara were also present.
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