Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Wycliffe Oparanya has ordered the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Baricho Farmers Cooperative Society to step down immediately.

Oparanya in a statement issued on Monday, September 9, 2024, said his decision aims to address the long-standing governance problems and mismanagement of funds in the Nyeri-based cooperative society.

Baricho Cooperative Society caretaker

In the measures, Oparanya has directed the Nyeri County Director of Cooperatives to lead the society as a caretaker, pending the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that will be held on September 18, 2024.

“To address the long-standing governance problems and mismanagement of funds in the Baricho Farmers Cooperative Society in Nyeri County, we have come up with the following measures. The Board and CEOs of Baricho are to step down immediately. The County Director of Cooperatives to be the caretaker of the society pending special AGM on 18th September 2024,” Oparanya stated in his statement.

Oparanya orders investigations

Oparanya has also ordered the Commissioner of Cooperatives to institute an inquiry into the mismanagement of the society.

The former Kakamega County governor has further directed the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU) to avail money and pay farmers immediately.

The payments, Oparanya says, should be made directly to the farmers’ accounts, under the stewardship of the County Director of Cooperatives.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have also been directed to step in and investigate the mismanagement issues and charge those found to have misused the society’s resources.

To address the long standing governance problems and mismanagement of funds in the Baricho Farmers cooperative society in Nyeri County, we have come up with the following measures.#Cooperatives @NewKpcu @Patrickkilemi @Ushirika_Kenya pic.twitter.com/x9MyqjJWaa

— Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH (@DrOparanya) September 9, 2024

Gachagua’s support

On August 26, 2024, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assured CS Oparanya and his Agriculture counterpart Andrew Karanja of his support and commitment to reforming the cooperatives movement and agricultural sector as they implement the Government’s plan to increase the country’s food production and farmers’ income.

Gachagua said the ongoing reforms in tea and coffee sub-sectors must be focused on benefiting farmers, not to their detriment.

“Food security is one of the pillars of Kenya Kwanza and I encourage you that we support the government in achieving. Let us build a strong economy for a stronger country. If the two ministries work together the situation will change with ease. I will support you and availability of the Presidency to help you where you want,” Gachagua said.