Trade, Industrialization and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has reiterated the government’s commitment to revive the ailing coffee sector.
Speaking in Murungurune, Imenti South, the CS noted that the government will soon establish commodity exchange to reduce the exploitation of farmers in the hands of unscrupulous middlemen.
Commodity markets allow farmers to trade through member firms free of brokers, with prices determined by supply and demand.
He decried the poor producer prices farmers were receiving despite the prices in the global market being high.
The CS added that the Government is on a mission to recover lost assets at the defunct giant KPCU which were misappropriated by a few to the detriment of the farmers.
Munya also called on elected leaders from the county to focus on the election promises instead of looking for scape goats when they fail to deliver. The CS said he did his part as the Governor and was concerned by a few leaders trying to hide their shortcomings by invoking his name and always whining over the past.
“It’s over a year now, let them serve and deliver to the Meru people, why always look for a scape goat in me, everyone will carry his own cross and will be judged by their deeds”. Said Munya.
Speaking separately Trade PS Chris Kiptoo said the establishment of commodities exchange will require setting of standards for commodities, amendment of capital markets regulations, and the enactment of warehouse receipt bill.
