Cooperators in Meru county have called on the Senate to ensure that it enact a bill that does not discriminate against farmers but safeguards their interests.
The Meru County Cooperative Forum chairman Ephatus Majau said the Senate should keenly consider the interests of the farmers before passing the Cooperative Bill act which is already before the house.
Majau who is also the Meru Coffee Cooperative Union chairman said the bill must maintain the status quo and should not discriminate against the farmer in any way.
Speaking at Kaaga primary school in Meru town during the “Ushirika Day” celebrations, Majau regretted that paying the coffee farmers directly as proposed will inevitably lead to the collapse of the cooperative movements.
He emphasized that the farmer will have no one to turn to once they get into any unforeseen problems.
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“Let the Senate enact a bill that safeguards the interests of farmers as opposed to discriminating against them. The status quo should remain. The farmers should always be paid through the cooperative societies and not directly to their accounts.
If the farmers are paid directly as proposed, it will inevitably lead to the collapse of the cooperative movements. The farmer will have nobody to turn to once he encounters any problems,” said Majau.
The chairman called on the national government to fully empower the Nairobi Coffee Exchange in order for it to effectively take care of the farmers’ interests and also be their intermediary.
Majau said Meru County has 460 active and registered cooperative societies which have greatly transformed the economic status of the region.
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“The main aim and role of the Meru County Cooperative Forum is to unite all the members from different sectors including coffee, milk, tea, cotton, avocado, sisal and housing among others. We unite and work together because unity is strength. When one is in trouble we assist by speaking and actions. There is no need to fight with each other. We are now our brother’s keepers,” said the chairman.
He encouraged members to always attend such important forums and get the firsthand message instead of waiting to inquire what happened.
Majau appealed to Meru governor Isaac Mutuma to assist the forum and ensure that it is stable noting that they have already informed him of the kind of assistance they want.
The forum treasurer Edith Mwirigi called on the national government to allow the Saccos to distribute any government funding instead of only channeling them through the banks.
She said the saccos have more membership and are located at the grassroots levels unlike banks that are only found within the urban centres.
She also called on the national government to ensure it budgets for the cooperative movements in case of any assistance like loans, funds or grants.
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“Let the government think about us in case any assistance is available. They should include us in their budget. Saccos should be allowed to distribute government funding because they have more membership and centrally located unlike the banks. We will distribute the funds equitably without inconveniencing anyone,” said Mwirigi.
She said farmers and Meru county in general has recorded tremendous economic growth courtesy of the cooperative movements.
Mwirigi said the cooperative movements are the backbone of the region economy and urged residents to join them.
Meru town came alive as cooperatives from across the county gathered to mark Ushirika Day 2025 under the inspiring theme: “Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World”.
The energy was electric, the turnout phenomenal, and the spirit of cooperation stronger than ever.
By John Majau
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