- Governor Mutuma has urged police to intensify investigations into rampant coffee theft in factories which has inflicted heavy losses on farmers and undermined the local economy
Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia has called on security agencies to intensify efforts to curb rampant coffee theft in factories across the county, saying the vice has inflicted heavy losses on farmers and undermined the local economy.
Speaking during the Meru Ushirika Day celebrations at Kaaga Methodist Church grounds, Mutuma appealed to the Meru County Commissioner to coordinate police officers in finding a lasting solution. He noted that theft has not only drained cooperative resources but also claimed lives of watchmen guarding the factories.
“It is regretful that at times even watchmen are killed while protecting our coffee. Let the police liaise with affected factories and investigate because at times it could be an inside job,” he said.
The governor pledged to work closely with law enforcement to restore confidence among farmers, insisting that culprits must be rooted out to safeguard the industry. “We recognize the pain of losing coffee through theft. We will work harmoniously with the security agencies in a bid to find a lasting solution to the menace,” Mutuma added.
Mutuma also encouraged farmers to take advantage of subsidized sexed semen offered by the Meru Dairy union at Sh1,400, down from the previous price of Sh7,000, saying the initiative would improve productivity and incomes.
The governor urged other cooperative unions to emulate successful cooperatives, emphasizing the importance of savings culture and sound governance in protecting farmers’ funds. He reminded residents that Meru is home to 460 cooperative movements, which he described as vital tools for spurring economic growth and development.
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Mutuma highlighted ongoing projects aimed at boosting farmer welfare, including the completion of an aggregation park designed to shield producers from brokers by enabling them to refine their own products. He said Meru is also set to establish three banana fibre production factories in Igembe, Tigania, and Imenti to process fibre from banana stems for use in human hair, fertilizer, and export products. A pilot programme has already begun at Maua Vocational and Training College in Igembe South.
He explained that banana fibre will be used in beauty therapy, particularly for plaiting hair, with different colours and styles available.
“Banana stems will be used in beauty therapy by plaiting hair. We will bring all flavors and colours because Meru products are original. I urge the residents to fully support the initiative in order to benefit,” Mutuma said.
The governor concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting cooperative movements and locally based products, saying they remain the best pathway to prosperity for Meru farmers.
By John Majau
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