Operations at Kitinda Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society are up and running. The Bungoma town based milk processor continues to thrive despite allegations from perpetrators that it is dead.
The Co-operative Society which was once very famous in East Africa as a giant milk processing plant during the 1980s and early 1990s seems to be bouncing back. This can be attributed to the outstanding leadership and modern processing equipment.
The farms management has assured farmers not to worry about their payments since their welfare is being taken care of.
“I would like to assure Bungoma county milk farmers that Kitinda Dairy Farmers Society is fully operating and there is no reason to say that this factory has collapsed.” Said Benjamin Wanyonyi, the chairperson of the Co-operative Society.
“I know there are politicians who go around this County saying if they get elected they will revive Kitinda. Kitinda cannot be revived since its operational and even farmers are delivering milk up to this point.” He added
Benjamin warned the perpetrators saying that Kitinda was sold to Eugene Wamalwa to provide evidence since he is not aware of such a thing. He confirmed to know the individuals behind these claims and warned them to keep the Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Kitinda away from dirty politics.
The Co-operative Society has nine board members. Three of these are women and the six are men. Among the six men one is a youth who represents the youth agenda.
“This Co-operative Society is owned by farmers and the farmers are the ones who elect board members; so the claims that Kitinda has been sold those are but mere politics let them use other methods to convince voters.” Asserted Wanyonyi
Currently the dairy farm receives 600 litres daily from 500 farmers. The farm has also been training farmers and providing farm inputs to its farmers.
With the current competition from private dairy farms Benjamin said that the number was good and that campaigns are ongoing to bring on board more farmers.
Benjamin also said that farmers’ payment is up to date with the management working around the clock to ensure farmer’s welfare is taken care of. He thanked their partners GIZ for their continued support.
By Rayzone
