National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on coffee farmers, particularly in Bungoma County, to take a bold stand against corrupt cooperative officials who continue to exploit them.

Speaking during a church service at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Sirisia, Bugoma County, on Sunday, July 27, 2025, Wetang’ula expressed deep concern over the rampant mismanagement of coffee cooperative societies, which has left many hard-working farmers without fair returns for their produce.

“I called on farmers to kick out rogue cooperative officials who shamelessly steal members’ hard-earned income,” Wetang’ula said, adding that the time had come for farmers to reclaim control of their cooperatives.

The speaker noted that coffee farming remains a key economic activity for families in Mount Elgon and Kimilili, yet their efforts are being undermined by a few individuals who prioritise personal gain over collective prosperity.

“In Bungoma, especially Mount Elgon and Kimilili, coffee farming sustains many families, yet corrupt officials keep robbing farmers of fair returns,” he added.

He highlighted the Kenya Kwanza administration’s reforms in the agricultural sector, which have seen the price of coffee rise from Ksh 50 to Ksh 160 per kilo. Additionally, farmers are now receiving free seedlings that mature within 15 months as part of the government’s plan to revive the once-thriving industry.

Despite these efforts, Wetang’ula noted that many farmers are still not reaping the benefits due to corrupt officials within cooperatives.

“Owing to the Kenya Kwanza administration reforms in the agricultural sector, coffee prices have risen from Ksh 50 to Ksh 160 per kilo, and farmers now get free seedlings that mature in 15 months. However, due to mismanagement, farmers are not receiving what is due to them, and this must end,” Wetang’ula noted.

In addition, Wetang’ula said it was unacceptable for a chairman with a small plantation to earn the most while real farmers received peanuts, insisting that cooperatives must remain farmer-owned, transparent, and accountable.

“It is unacceptable for a chairman with a small plantation to earn the most while real farmers get peanuts. Cooperatives must remain farmer-owned, transparent, and accountable,” he stated.

The former senator further urged farmers not to be silenced, calling on them to demand justice and protect the sweat of every farmer who feeds the nation.

“Let’s not be silenced. Let’s demand justice and protect the sweat of every farmer who feeds this nation,” he added.

This morning at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Sirisia, I called on farmers to kick out rogue Cooperative Officials who shamelessly steal members’ hard-earned income.

In Bungoma, especially Mount Elgon and Kimilili, coffee farming sustains many families yet corrupt officials… pic.twitter.com/Rn8RZZM7uB

— Rt.Hon.Dr.Moses Wetang'ula (@HonWetangula) July 27, 2025