Farmers protest release of Sh 15 million from a coffee miller

Over 500 coffee farmers have accused Ruthaka Co-operative Society in Mukurweni of failing to pay them for their deliveries.

A senior official at the Central Kenya Coffee Mill, which processes and markets the society’s coffee, confirmed to The Standard yesterday it paid Sh15 million into the society’s accounts.

The farmers who spoke during a meeting at Muthuthi-nii factory wondered why they have not been paid a week after CNS had deposited the money into the society’s bank accounts.

One of the farmers, Jennifer Kirenga said their money for the year 2018/2019 season was paid to the society’s accounts by the miller on January 24.

Depend on coffee

She said they have spoken to the managers of the miller who confirmed depositing their dues in the society’s accounts.

The society is expected to pay the farmers at the rate of Sh30 per kilogramme.

“We cannot take care of our needs including paying school fees. We are grounded because the society has refused to pay us. We depend on coffee for our survival,” Ms Kirenga said yesterday.

Another farmer, Elijah Mwaniki, said: “We have information the miller has already disbursed the money after selling the coffee. What we want to know is why the society is delaying our payment.”

He accused the management of the society of lacking transparency.