The Coffee Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) in Bungoma County are at the centre of Senate investigations following concerns over inconsistent coffee pricing that has affected farmer earnings.
This comes after Bungoma County Senator, David Wakoli raised alarm over disparities in payments made through cooperative societies, citing variations between coffee cherry delivered to factories and mbuni (dry parchment) handled within Sacco systems.
The Senator warned that the inconsistencies are eroding farmer incomes and exposing weaknesses in the management of the coffee value chain.
In a formal request to the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Wakoli is seeking a detailed explanation on how coffee prices are determined. He has also called for verified records of payments made to farmers over the last five seasons, as well as reasons behind the observed fluctuations.
The probe will also examine the role of millers, marketing agents and brokers engaged by cooperative societies and factories. SACCOs have been asked to disclose contractual details, duration of engagement and the specific roles played by the actors.
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Concerns have also been raised over procurement processes, with questions on whether due process and cooperative governance standards were followed in engaging third parties.
Regulatory compliance is another key area under scrutiny, particularly transparency in deductions, commissions, milling costs and final payments to farmers.
The developments place Saccos at the centre of efforts to restore accountability and rebuild trust among coffee farmers in the county.
The matter is now before the Senate committee for consideration, with its findings expected to inform possible reforms in Bungoma’s cooperative coffee sector.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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