Farmers get back title deeds after Uhuru orders waiver on loans

A section of Kajiado farmers who had loans with the Agricultural Finance Corporation(AFC) and had placed their title deeds as collateral have received back title deeds at the weekend, as president Uhuru waiver on there loans take effect. [photo/PETERSON GITHAIGA]

A section of farmers who had taken loans with the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) have received back their titles deeds.

This happened as President Uhuru Kenyatta's waiver on the loans owed to AFC by the farmers took effect.

At least 100 farmers across the county who had accumulated loans amounting to millions, breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving their title deeds in the first phase.

Speaking in Kajiado after issuing the title deeds at the weekend, AFC Board chairman Franklin Bett issued a stern warning to cartels taking advantage of the waiver.

"Farmers who have loans with AFC should not pay a single coin to anybody in order to be considered for the waiver. We have already had cases of farmers being conned,''said Mr Bett.

The former Cabinet minister said the waiver had given priority to needy farmers.

Uhuru's waiver on the loans followed an outcry by farmers after a prolonged drought.

"The first waiver on AFC loans has given vulnerable farmers a priority. We are widely consulting with farmers to come up with a clear criteria of how to ensure the exercise is fair to all," said Bett.

Farmers have lauded the Government's move, saying they had been distressed after failing to clear the debts dating back to the 1980s. [Peterson Githaiga]