Let farmers run KCC, North Rift leaders say

Leaders in the North Rift want the management of the New Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) returned to farmers.

The leaders also said farmers are the company’s rightful owners as it was constructed by them and warned against privatisation.

Speaking at the annual dairy farmers meeting in Eldoret, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Silas Tiren (Moiben) and Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said farmers will enjoy the economies of scale and break even.

“Our grandfathers sold their livestock and set up KCC but it is shocking that their sweat has not been enjoyed by the generation they left behind,” said Mr Keter.

He said it would be wrong for the Government to privatise the sector instead of addressing the underlying issues affecting dairy farming in the region.

“The farmers have never been paid Sh547 million for milk deliveries from 18 years ago. This should be fast-tracked as a way of reviving the sector,” he said.

Spurring Growth

Mr Tiren said he will bring up a bill in the National Assembly that will rein in those who contribute to the failure of Government institutions through corruption and have them take personal responsibility.

“Majority of Government-led agricultural corporations have gone down due to corruption and no one is taking responsibility,” he said.

Mandago urged the MPs in the agricultural parliamentary committee to factor in funds to offset the debts owed to farmers by the company. “Milk is among the main income sources in the region and the sector should be fully revived and managed by farmers as a one way of spurring economic growth,” he said.

KCC Board Chairman Matu Wamae, who presided over the function, said he is focused on ensuring the facility is returned to farmers. “My dedication to KCC is because it caters for the needs of small farmers,” he said.