Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has asked the National Government to allow rice farmers to buy the Mwea Rice Mills (MRM) when it's offered for privatization.
Speaking during Jamhuri day celebrations on Tuesday, December 12, The Kirinyaga Governor argued that the government does not run businesses and therefore MRM factory should be sold to the rice farmers.
Waiguru disclosed that farmers own 45 percent of MRM noting that it would only make sense if the priority to buy the 55% government stake is given to farmers.
“In so doing, the farmers would operate and manage the mill to be a profit-making venture, providing an avenue for the farmers to gain economic independence. As a county, we will make sure that any agreements done, will leave our rice farmers more empowered and not feeling disenfranchised,” remarked Waiguru.
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The governor accused a section of local politicians of using the MRM privatization issue as a 2027 campaign tool instead of offering advise for farmers to place themselves strategically to buy the facility.
She asked farmers to organize themselves and join rice cooperatives to pull resources together and buy the facility.
At the same time, the Council of Governors (COG) chair urged Kenyans to continue supporting President William Ruto’s efforts towards recovery of the economy.
While she acknowledged that the high cost of living had been driven by the high taxation, she expressed optimism that the country would be soon out of the woods.
“We are well aware of the high cost of living occasioned by high taxation; however, I assure you that we are on the right path and soon we will be out of the woods. I encourage all of us to have faith that the Kenya Kwanza will shortly, get this country to its growth path again,” the Governor stated.
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