Machakos farmers appeal for coffee waiver

Farmers from Lower Eastern region on Monday faulted the national government for failing to fulfill the promise for coffee waiver.

The farmers raised concern over sincerity of the government on the matter.

Speaking during the annual general meeting of the Machakos Co operative Union, chairman Patrick Katingima, lamented that farmers were experiencing financial problems that needed to be addressed.

Katingima said it was unfair to isolate the region when some areas had been considered for the waiver. 

"We pay tax just like those other regions and there is no justification not to be considered along with others," he said.

He assured that the union was committed to improving the welfare of the coffee farmers through their respective cooperative societies hence the need for government's support. 

At the same time, Katingima called on farmers to promote the coffee mill by delivering their produce.

The Machakos County Cooperative Commissioner David Nzomo, urged the farmers through their cooperative societies to exercise transparency and accountability in their leadership so as to earn the trust of members.

Nzomo said, the county government has partnered with the union in a bid to improve farmers' welfare.

"The county government is doing everything possible to improve the status of the coffee farmers' welfare through farm inputs, micro financing among other issues," he said while encouraging farmers to increase their production.