President Uhuru Kenyatta ignored a petition by Nyeri MPs to send Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei to solve the impasse between coffee farmers and the county government.
While opening the Central Kenya Agricultural Society of Kenya show in Nyeri, the President steered clear of the issue.
The MPs had directly petitioned the President to intervene and have the matter solved, but he instead gave a general statement on coffee and tea marketing.
The MPs, led by Peter Weru (Mathira) and Mary Wambui (Othaya), had called on the President to send Koskei to broker talks between disgruntled farmers and the county government over joint marketing pool being spearheaded by the devolved unit.
“We have serious issues with marketing coffee. We plead with the President to allow Koskei to listen to the farmers’ problems,” Weru said after he was invited to address the congregation by Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who ironically has been at loggerheads with leaders on the coffee issue.
Weru said instead of sweeping the matter under the carpet, it was prudent for the national government to intervene and ensure farmers benefit from their produce.
“Farmers have sent me to ask hard questions; we want to know what is ailing the coffee sector,” Weru said.
Wambui said it was paramount for the national government to intervene to help farmers reap maximum profit from their produce. “We hope the President will heed our plea to send Koskei to listen to what the farmers want to say,” Wambui said.
Other MPs present were Ndung’u Gethinji (Tetu) and his Kieni counterpart Kanini Kega.
Farmers have decried the proceeds realised from the sale of coffee under the joint pool marketing spearheaded by Gachagua, who has been under intense pressure from MPs and farmers over the meager proceeds.
This led to the plea by the local MPs to the President to have the national government solve the conflict.
But in his speech, President Uhuru did not respond to the request and instead said the government was concerned by the low income coffee and tea farmers earn.
The President challenged tea factories to increase varieties and engage in value addition to ensure quality market for the farmers’ produce.
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