Plans to privatise the public milk processor are still on course.
According to the New Kenya Co-operative Creameries (New KCC) Chairman Matu Wamae, plans to privatise the creamery were at an advanced stage.
Mr Wamae said once the plans were complete, dairy farmers would be given an opportunity to own the company.
The Government, he said, would also have some shares in it so as it can have a say in the management of the processor.
He was speaking at the New KCC Nyahururu factory during a shareholders meeting where together with Managing Director Nixon Sigey, he commissioned a milk tanker owned by the Kimwa Community Based Organisation to facilitate milk transportation to the factory.
“I want to assure farmers that the process is still on and we are working on the modalities. We will give them the priority to buy shares while the Government will also own some,” he said.
He warned farmers against electing directors of questionable backgrounds to manage their factories when New KCC is finally restored to them. “Poor leadership led to the collapse of KCC in the past and we will not allow this to happen again. Let them elect people of integrity to manage the company properly,” said Mr Wamae.
Mr Sigey expressed his concern over the rising cases of counterfeit milk products in the market.
COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS
Recently, fake yoghurt products were impounded in Nakuru town.
He challenged the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) to investigate the conduct of such people and bring them to account.
He said counterfeit products were ruining the local and international markets as they compromised standards.
He called on consumers to deal with reputable processors who produce quality products.
The New KCC MD at the same time called on farmers to not only increase their milk production but also enhance quality.
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