Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says reforms in the coffee subsector are on course but has asked farmers to be patient as the Government works on policies to push out cartels.
Speaking on Sunday in Othaya, Nyeri County, Mr Gachagua disclosed that a cartel composed of four individuals is deeply entrenched in the subsector adding that they were attempting to sabotage the Government's plan by creating an artificial crisis in the coffee industry.
"The cartels are entrenched and they are few. They buy coffee at throw away prices and sell in foreign countries at exorbitant prices. The changes are on course. Amendment of the law will be tabled in Parliament soon. It proposes, among others, that if you are a coffee miller, you cannot be a marketer or a seller. It is one man, one job," Gachagua stated.
He claimed that one of the reforms being fought by the cartel is the revival of the New KPCU and the Coffee Board of Kenya.
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"They (cartels) have united and are trying to create an artificial crisis and propaganda that because of the reforms, the Kenyan coffee has been boycotted, which is a lie. They are moving across various offices. I urge the farmers to be patient because it is not an easy or simple fight. It is not for the faint hearted. It is rough. They are boycotting the coffee to sabotage the reforms," he alleged.
The Deputy President asked Members of Parliament to support the amendment in order to uplift farmers.
Regarding milk, Mr. Gachagua said the Government is working on measures that will increase the farm-gate price of the commodity to Sh60 per litre.
"The reforms that I was tasked to push by President William Ruto in coffee, tea and milk, have started to bear fruit. We got a high bonus this year, which has not been witnessed earlier. We are doing well. For milk, we are not badly off as well. The Government will push the farm gate price to a minimum of Sh60 per litre," he said.
