‘Be patient with me’ – Gachagua tells farmers as he vows to crash coffee cartels
By Ascah Mwango, September 24, 2023
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a resolute promise to free the coffee sector from the grip of cartels that have long hindered its progress.
Speaking at the Kagere PCEA church in Othaya on Sunday, September 24, Gachagua promised to confront the circumstances faced by coffee farmers, who have fallen victim to the manipulation of powerful coffee cartels and brokers.
“These cartels have banded together, resorting to all means, including spreading propaganda. They are trying to create an artificial crisis. That is because of changes made in the policy people have refused to buy coffee and that is pure lies. They want to force us to sell it to them,” Gachagua declared.
“These private millers are benefiting unfairly on three fronts. They take the coffee and claim 35 per cent is millage losses and you were not there to see. Secondly, they falsely grade coffee, and thirdly, they give poor prices of coffee selling it at one price, all while our world-renowned beans command premium prices in international markets,” the DP added.
Expressing his empathy for the plight of coffee farmers, the Deputy President implored, “I want to urge coffee farmers to be patient with me.”
Gachagua Convenes coffee conference in Meru
Gachagua’s commitment to the cause was evident earlier this year when he presided over a Coffee Stakeholders Conference held in Meru County in June.
The conference aimed to address the various challenges faced by coffee farmers, with cartels being one of the key issues discussed.
At the conference, Gachagua highlighted President William Ruto’s administration’s commitment to supporting farmers.
He stated that they are planning to create new legislation inspired by the discussions and valuable insights shared during the event, with the goal of empowering the farming community.
“Those individuals are the ones who have installed puppets within every cooperative society solely for the benefit of the marketers. It is imperative for this conference to address this issue by devising mechanisms and formulating laws that safeguard the interests of the coffee societies,” he stated.