Coffee famers at Emanang Cooperative society in Cheptais Sub County on Friday evening held a peaceful demonstration decrying delayed cherry payment.
The angry famers led by Mrs. Jennifer Painito said so far they have only received Kshs 20 per kilogram for last season whereas other societies in the region have managed to pay their farmers over Kshs 55 per kilogram.
“The last season we produced so many bags of quality coffee and as we speak, we have only pocketed very little, we are wondering where this management took our coffee cherry,” she lamented.
They added that workers have survived without salaries for almost a year besides the 20% commission deducted from the sales to cater for the same and other in house operations.
The famers also threatened to quit the Society if action is not taken against the former management that has allegedly embezzled their funds and frustrated their efforts. “We want to call upon the County government, national government and all leaders from Mt. Elgon to intervene and savage the poor farmer, we are tired of waiting on the task force formed to check the issues yet it hasn’t even given its report.”
The demonstrations took over three hours halting operations in the society as farmers chanted songs demanded for documents concerning coffee sales and bank details from the previous management.