NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 21 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has assured farmers that he will continue spearheading reforms in the coffee, tea and milk sub sectors, despite resistance from cartels.
Speaking in Othaya Constituency on Saturday, Nyeri County, Gachagua said he will not be cowed in his efforts to ensure the dignity of farmers is restored.
Gachagua said the previous administration had not been willing to take on the middlemen, because of the conflict of interest.
“President William Ruto has tasked me to eliminate the middlemen and bridge the farmer to the consumer for maximum benefits. Cartels are vicious. They are fighting back through propaganda. We will deal with them once and for all.”
He added: “Let the cartels look for alternative sources of revenue. They cannot be enjoying the maximum yields while the farmers and their families are languishing in poverty.”
The Deputy President noted that he has already had engagements with all concerned parties in other sub-sectors, including Kenya Tea Development Authority directors and farmers who have agreed on a framework of implementing reforms.
On the road projects, the Deputy President promised to unlock construction of all stalled roads across the country, particularly those abandoned over non-payment of the contractors.
He said the government is looking for about Sh900 billion to clear the pending payments.
