Wetangula claims Bungoma coffee farmers are discriminated over their counterparts in central
The Speaker of the National Assembly called for equitable sharing of the cherry fund amounting 4 billion shillings
National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr) Moses Wetang’ula has asked the government to ensure equity during the sharing of the Sh4 billion Cherry Fund.
Wetang’ula raised concerns over discriminatory treatment of coffee farmers during past disbursement that led to favouritism of farmers from Central Kenya against their counterparts in other parts of the country.
Wetang’ula welcomed the release of the money to Cherry Fund, saying equitable distribution will help boost the coffee sector that has suffered low payouts in the past.
He for instance pointed out that coffee farmers in Bungoma County have been missing from government funding, noting that the move frustrated the growth of the cash crop in the region.
“As leaders representing farmers we don’t want to experience cases where only coffee farmers in Central region benefit from the Fund at the expense of their colleagues drawn from other parts of the country,” said Hon Wetang’ula.
He added: “The last regime sidelined coffee farmers from the county even after making an allocation of Ksh.6 billion to boost the operations by coffee farmers in the country.”
The Speaker assured farmers that he will not allow the same to happen during the disbursement of the money allocated to the Fund.
Wetang’ula was speaking at St Mary Cheptais Catholic church in Mt Elgon sub county, Bungoma county during a funds drive in aid of the church.
He also informed farmers that the government has increased the price of coffee from Ksh.35 per kilo to Ksh.80 per kilo to deal with their outcry over poor returns occasioned by low prices.
He noted that Bungoma is among the top ten counties exporting coffee and farmers in the county have a right to benefit from money allocated to the Cherry Fund.
Wetang’ula challenged Bungoma Governor H.E Ken Lusaka, who was present, to root out corruption that is killing Coffee Cooperatives in the county.
“Graft among officials of the Saccos is hurting farmers. We have cases where the officials earn more money from the crop yet they deliver less kilograms than farmers they were serving. Such corrupt officials should be shown the door,” he added.
The Speaker challenged governors in the region to consider reviving cash crops that had been abandoned by farmers due to challenges such as corruption and poor returns.
“This region had cash crops that benefitted farmers and boosted the economy of the area. Farmers stopped planting the cash crops because of many challenges and governors should consider reviving the crops,” he added.
At the same time, I asked government officers to remove obstacles and demands that have denied eligible youths from acquiring National Identity cards.
Other leaders who accompanied me included Bungoma Deputy Hon. Jennifer Mbatiany, Bungoma Senator Hon. David Wafula Wakoli, Bungoma County MP Hon Catherine Wambilianga, Hon. Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Hon. John Waluke (Sirisia), Bungoma Assembly Speaker Hon. Emmanuel Situma, Bungoma County Leader of Majority Hon. Joseph Nyongesa among other local leaders.
The leaders raised concern over increasing cases of early pregnancy among students noting that it has ruined the lives of many of them.
According to statistics released by the governor a total of 1050 students dropped out of school last year due to early pregnancy.
“The statistics by the county revealed that Mt Elgon sub county led in cases of early pregnancy with 187 students dropping out of school followed by Bumula with 152 and Kimilili with 144 cases in that order,” said Lusaka.
He added that Chesikaki secondary school in Mt. Elgon reported 54 cases of early pregnancies among students which he noted that was the highest.
He added that cases of abortion among victims were on the increase.
Said the governor:”It is sad that some of the innocent students were infected with HIV virus by men who engaged in illicit sex with them”.
Waluke accused some officials of Teachers’ unions of protecting teachers who impregnated their students.
“I have established that in my constituency teachers are preying on the students and later protected by union officials when exposed,” he claimed.
The MPs said they will work with schools, provincial administrators and police to apprehend amorous men going after students.
Wetang’ula assured residents that all the projects promised to them by President Dr William Ruto will be implemented.
He urged leaders to be patient and give the president time noting that he will fulfill his promise to residents.
“Soon projects promised by president Ruto will be rolled out. The first one will be the Chwele-Sirisia-Lukhakha road linking the region to Uganda,” he added.
The Speaker asked residents to support President Ruto fix the country’s economy.