Kenyan politicians to investigate unequal coffee payments

There’s trouble rumbling in Kenya – again.

Members of the Kenyan parliament have raised concerns about the payments provided by the government to some of the important agricultural areas, such as the famed Nyeri Country where some of the country’s best coffee is grown.

“We are seeing figures here,” began Mary Wambui, referencing the supposedly standardised payments, “but when you go to the ground it is a different thing.

“This is not the money that farmers [are supposed to receive].”

So what’s the issue?

Apparently, the farmers in Nyeri County are supposed to receive roughly the same amount as money as farmers in other regions in an equal imbursement scheme. However, some legislators have been alerted that this might not be the case and that some of the money is being diverted elsewhere.

The Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Authority (AFFA) have disputed those claims. But that hasn’t stopped a handful of MPs from examining the money trail and making visits to affected areas. Mary Wambui, the MP for Othaya, has been one of the most visible politicians in regard to this situation.

The AFFA has gone on record saying that farmers in Nyeri were paid between Sh30-50 per kg of coffee, whilst those in Kirinyaga County were paid in the region of Sh30-55. But as we’ve seen, some people are disputing that claim.

According to some published reports, some farmers in one area were getting Sh68 per kg, whilst others were getting Sh56, both above the announced pricing structure. The question, which remains unanswered, is why?

The MP for Mukurweini, TNA member Kabando wa Kabando, has said that this disparity was too large and that there should be an investigation into how this was happening.

It rumbles on…