Tension rocked Mirichi Coffee Cooperative Society in Gichugu on Friday, July 24, 2026, after angry farmers brought a Special General Meeting to a standstill, demanding that the society’s board step aside over concerns about its financial management.

The meeting, which had been convened to discuss the society’s annual budget, failed to proceed after farmers insisted that accountability issues be addressed first before any other business could be transacted.

Ksh23.7 million loan

The farmers questioned reports that the society borrowed Ksh23.7 million, which they claimed was used to supplement last season’s coffee payments when growers received Ksh122 per kilogram. They also demanded an explanation on how more than Sh1.3 million received from an insurance claim was utilised.

One of the society’s board members, George Nyaga, said he had formally written to the Kirinyaga County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade and Cooperatives seeking intervention over the issues raised within the society but had not received a response.

Nyaga further claimed that instead of addressing the concerns, the society’s chairperson had been convening meetings with selected board members with the intention of removing him from office after he questioned the management of the cooperative.

He said the farmers had spoken with one voice by demanding the current board step aside to pave the way for independent investigations into the society’s affairs.

Board to vacate office

Farmer Titus Gichuki Nyaga said members had resolved that the current board should temporarily vacate office to allow the appointment of an interim committee that would oversee an independent audit of the cooperative’s finances.

He dismissed claims that politicians had influenced the farmers’ actions, insisting that the members were acting solely on information circulated within the society.

“This is not politics. We received the communication from our own society and came here to demand accountability. Coffee belongs to farmers, and every shilling must be accounted for,” he said.

Another farmer, Edwin Munene, said members demanded that the board first verify issues raised in a letter reportedly written by one of its directors before proceeding with the meeting.

He accused the board of failing to uphold transparency and accountability, warning that continued poor governance would undermine the coffee sector and leave small-scale farmers bearing the greatest losses.

“Our concern is to protect the future of coffee farming. Small-scale farmers are the ones who suffer whenever there is a lack of accountability in cooperative societies,” Munene said.

The meeting ended without transacting the intended business as farmers maintained their demand for a comprehensive audit and the temporary exit of the current board before any further decisions affecting the cooperative are made.

Efforts by journalists to obtain a response from the society’s chairperson, Helen Nyaga, were unsuccessful. Although she was present throughout the meeting, she declined to comment on the allegations and concerns raised by the farmers.