Cooperative societies have been cautioned against exploiting farmers, especially coffee farmers in Kangundo sub-county.
Addressing the press after opening various classrooms in Matetani primary school, Kangundo MP Fabian Kyule Muli said that Kangundo was known for its coffee production. He however noted that has been a tale due to the low production caused by mismanagement by people running the societies.
Muli noted that he was going to ensure that the exploitation and mismanagement were going to come to an end as he was determined in ensuring that farmers get fair pricing for their products.
“I am putting on notice the management of all cooperative societies for coffee in Kangundo. Coffee production is going down and our farmers are suffering due to mismanagement and exploitation. This is making our farmers loose morale and this is not going to happen under my watch,” he said.
The legislator revealed that most of the societies were going down due to loans taken by the management aimed at enriching themselves at the cost of the farmers. He called upon the Permanent Secretary in the Department for Cooperatives to follow up on the corrupt officials.
“I have received a lot of complaints by our farmers and I am aware that the management has been taking loans for personal advantage without informing members,” said Fabian.
Late last month the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture met with coffee farmers in Machakos County where he promised to revive the coffee sector in the county.
