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Kindiki warns corrupt coffee societies, promises better pay, debt waiver in Embu
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses coffee farmers at Kavutiri Coffee Mills in Embu County, on April 26, 2027.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Saturday issued a stern warning against corrupt coffee cooperative societies officials across the country.
He vowed that officials who mismanage the societies at the expense of the farmers will not be spared.
Speaking at Kavutiri Coffee Mills in Embu County, Prof Kindiki stressed that the government was determined to ensure that the societies are protected for the benefit of the farmers who play a crucial role in nation-building.
"We must make sure the governance of coffee societies is streamlined. We are not going to allow going forward the mismanagement of the societies because it is against the public interest," he said.
He said officials of the societies should be honest people to ensure farmers are not exploited.
"Those elected to run the societies should not squander farmers' money," he said.
At the same time, Prof Kindiki said due to reforms initiated by the government, coffee prices have increased.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (second left) at Kavutiri Coffee Mills in Embu County, on April 26, 2027.
“The prices have increased from Sh30 to Sh140, we have managed to get rid of cartels which were exploiting the farmers and that is why farmers are reaping benefits,” he said.
He reiterated that the government was taking matters coffee seriously, adding that never again will farmers earn peanuts for their produce.
“We are very serious people, we want farmers to earn up to Sh200 for their coffee so that they can be able to meet all their financial obligations," he said.
Accompanied by Governor Cecily Mbarire and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, the Deputy President said the lost glory of coffee farming must be restored.
"In the past coffee used to be our green gold, many people were educated by coffee money, farmers used to build good houses and do other things because coffee fetched good prices. The prices started deteriorating in 1980s and farmers were disillusioned and started uprooting coffee," he said.
Prof Kindiki said the new Coffee Act 2025 and the Cooperative Act 2025 were being finalised to safeguard the interest of farmers.
He assured farmers that all the coffee debts would be waived by the State.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (right) samples coffee at Kavutiri Coffee Mills in Embu County, on April 26, 2027.
"I know the debts weigh heavily on farmers, we are verifying the debts so that we can write them off, we ask the farmers to be patient," he said.
He told off government critics, accusing them of inciting the public.
"The critics should not lecture us on how to carry out development, they are inciting Kenyans against the government and they should stop," he said.
He reminded critics that President William Ruto's government knows its work and will definitely deliver on its mandate.
“We promised Kenyans development, we are doing everything possible to fulfil our pledges," he said.
Prof Kindiki said the economy has improved and all the stalled projects will be revived and completed before the 2027 polls.
“We shall prove our critics wrong, they will witness massive development," he said.
He said the government was currently focusing on development.
“It is not time for politics, we are busy initiating development projects. Let our rivals wait until 2027 and we shall face off," he said.
He assured Embu coffee farmers that the Kavutiri Coffee Mills' debts amounting to Sh176 million will be waived.
“We shall bail out Embu farmers and they should not panic,” said Prof Kindiki.
Governor Mbarire said Embu was in government to stay.
“We shall remain in the government so that we benefit from the State's projects, we elected this government and we shall not pull out from it," she said.
