The enemy within: When peasants' watchmen turn predators

Simon Kimaru, a farmer at Ngamwa Village in Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri, harvests his coffee. Farmers have been suffering losses due to coffee theft. It is now apparent that some co-operatives’ management committees have a hand in the widespread theft of farmers’ coffee. (PHOTO: FILE/ STANDARD)

It is now apparent that some co-operatives’ management committees have a hand in the widespread theft of farmers’ coffee.

Police have, however, dismissed suggestions that they let the criminals go past their roadblocks with the loot, saying the thieves outwit them by using alternative routes.