| Co-operatives Development
minister Njeru Ndwiga yesterday denied the existence of turf wars between him and
Agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa. He also clarified
that no new marketing agents had been licensed contrary to reports attributed to Kirwa
that three more players had been authorised to sell coffee.
Playing down the alleged conflict, Ndwiga said he had no
problem with his Cabinet colleague and were working well.
The announcement attributed to Kirwa that three new
marketing agents had been licensed, drew instant wrath from farmers who feared the
resurgence of coffee wars.
Speaking when he addressed coffee farmers in Kerugoya town
yesterday, Ndwiga blamed their misunderstanding on the Coffee Board of Kenya.
He said no new players would be allowed into the coffee
sector until production improves.
Ndwiga said the bitter coffee wars that were fought in the
1990s erupted after the milling was abruptly liberalised at a time when the produce was
very low.
He agreed with farmers that if more player are allowed to
market coffee a new wave of violence may erupt.
Ndwiga said an inter-ministerial committee had been formed
to work out a new coffee policy that is expected to revive the industry, which is on the
verge of collapse.
He said the committee would look at all aspects of coffee
from production, processing and marketing as well as auditing the Coffee Act 2002.
Ndwiga said the bulk of the Act has never been implemented
and there is urgent need for his ministry and that of Agriculture to sieve through the
law.
The meeting at Kerugoya Stadium was attended by Water
Resources minister Martha Karua, assistant minister Njeru Githae, area MP Daniel Karaba
and Mwea MP Alfred Nderitu.
Karua said the biggest problem in the coffee industry is
the management of the co-operative societies which are milked dry by corrupt committee
members. |
