Potato farmers in Nyandarua continue to suffer at the hands of middlemen despite regulations that were put in place in 2019 to protect them.
The regulations were launched in Nyandarua county in August 2019 by Governor Francis Kimemia and the implementation started, then stalled.
The Irish Potato Regulations, 2019, stipulated that the harvests be sold in kilogrammes, with packaging not exceeding 50kg. A spot check by the Star across the county, however, established that middlemen are still using extended bags, some weighing more than 120kg.
The farmers blame the national and county governments for their continued exploitation. They say they toil, only for brokers to reap where they did not sow, leaving them wallowing in poverty.
Daniel Kihoro from Kalulu village in Githabai ward, Kinangop, said the government ought to have provided the recommended 50kg bags, set the price and strictly enforced the law. He lamented that farmers who insist on selling their produce in small bags are offered extremely low prices or their potatoes left to rot in stores or farms.
An extended bag (kata two) is being bought at Sh2,200, while one would be offered between Sh500 and Sh900 for the 50kg bag, Kihoro said. He blamed the problem on buyers, who dictate both price and packaging.
“The farmers have no freedom to set the price for their produce. They have no right to enjoy their sweat,” he said.
Some traders are, however, buying potatoes in extended bags at low prices but later repackage them into 50kg bags to make a killing. Maina Gichohi from Mugathika village in Ol Kalou lives in Mombasa. On Wednesday, he told the Star on the phone that 50kg bag is going for Sh3,300, while the same packaging is offered for Sh500 at his rural home.
Naomi Njoki said leaders from potato-producing counties are also to blame as most counties have not been keen on implementing the new potato law. She said if they all work together the problem would be eliminated.
Some traders, however, point an accusing finger at lazy and corrupt government officials who are entrusted to enforce the law. A trader who sought anonymity said the extended bags are transported on roads populated by police officers who simply look the other way.
He said some Nyandarua county officials are entrusted with protecting farmers, yet exploitation is executed on their watch.
“If you go to Soko Mjinga in Kinangop, you will find potato packaged in extended bags,” he said.
However, Nyandarua Agriculture executive James Karitu said the potato law is still in place but there had been a challenge owing to some conservatory order issued in 2015. He, however, assured that they will enforce the regulations after the 2015 orders were vacated by the High Court a few weeks ago.
Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka and his then Nakuru counterpart Kinuthia Mbugua sought to enforce the 50kg potato bags but some brokers rushed to court and secured orders barring the move.
Karitu said some cases that were taken to Engineer and Nyahururu courts were dismissed on the grounds that there were orders issued in 2015, hence that made it difficult for the county to enforce the regulations.
He said three committees will now oversee the enforcement. One committee will be operating from Kinangop while the second will operate from Ol Kalou and the other from Ndaragwa to ensure all the exit routes are covered.
He said some markets, especially in Nairobi and Mombasa, are reluctant to adopt the 50kg packaging, but this will be achieved if all the counties work together.
Edited by F'Orieny
