- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza administration had listened to the hue and cry of farmers.
- Gachagua hinted at state plans to write off debts owed by coffee cooperative societies.
Image: ODPS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had a busy week that saw him move swiftly to address concerns raised by farmers from the Mt Kenya region.
The DP, who is the face of radical agriculture reforms, declared in the week that the government would review sections of the tax laws.
Speaking while he met stakeholders at his Official Karen Residence, Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza administration had listened to the hue and cry of farmers and will review the Finance Act 2023.
The DP said the Avocado sector taxes will be reviewed after a public uproar to make it more lucrative for farmers.
“Discussions on the Finance Bill are ongoing and amendments will be made to reflect the reality of the sector; MPs will do their part,” Gachagua told avocado industry stakeholders on March 19.
The Finance Act of 2023 introduced a raft of tax measures including new levies on agriculture products, triggering discontent in Mt Kenya, which remains important for Ruto’s re-election.
Gachagua hinted at state plans to write off debts owed by coffee cooperative societies, another initiative to appease Mt Kenya farmers in what was seen as a strategy to assuage the region's concerns.
Gachagua started the week with a Sunday church service at his boss President William Ruto’s Nandi backyard.
Before proceeding for a church service at Kapseret AIC church, the DP visited Kapsabet Boys High School to condole with the school following a tragic accident.
“Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with the students, teachers, and parents of Kapsabet High School for the tragic road accident on Saturday, that claimed the lives of a student and a teacher," Gachagua posted on his X account.
However, the DP missed Ruto’s tour of Narok County on that day when the president attended a thanksgiving service for Tourism PS John Ololtuaa.
On Monday, Gachagua joined his boss President Ruto for the burial of former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai’s mother Mama Annah Tikui Noolparakuo in Lolgorian.
On Tuesday, Gachagua witnessed President Ruto sign the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023 into law at the State House.
“With a demand of about 250,000 decent housing, the Ruto Administration is keen on implementing the Affordable Housing Programme across the country,” he said.
The law provides a framework for bridging the decent housing gap.
On the same day, the DP had a fruitful engagement with the farmers and key players in the value chain, to look into pertinent issues emerging in the sector at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi.
Gachagua said that the economic potential in the Avocado subsector is huge, calling for friendly interventions to streamline it for the farmer to fully benefit.
“The Ruto Administration's commitment is to listen and address farmers' concerns, in consultation with key stakeholders, to ensure they reap the best earnings from their farms,” he said.
On Wednesday, Gachagua was at Murang'a University of Technology in Muranga where he delivered his inaugural public lecture on Youth, Leadership, and Development.
“Thousands of our young people in our Universities and Colleges hold the future of Kenya. It is in this regard that President William Ruto and I focus on a mission to, besides other matters, engage the youth, and mentor them," the DP said.
On the same day, the DP was in Murang’a where he commissioned the Murang’a Coffee Mills Factory which has been out of operation for a long time.
Addressing farmers, Gachagua affirmed that the Coffee Subsector Reforms remain central to uplifting the lives of the farmer, in addition to strengthening the economy in foreign exchange reserves
“As the Murang'a Coffee Mills factory roars into operation after we commissioned it today, I congratulate the over 110,000 farmers from the 51 cooperatives societies in Murang'a County for this milestone,’’ Gachagua said.
“The new factory will process and add value to our coffee. This will fetch more and actualise our vision of putting more money into the pocket of the farmer.”
On Thursday, the DP was in Mukurweini for the burial of Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru Mejja’s father Mzee Joseph Mwangi.
“The loss of a parent is painful. We pray that the Almighty God give you Mheshimiwa, and your family, comfort and peace. May the Soul of the faithful departed Rest in Peace,’’ Gachagua said.
On his way back to Nairobi, Gahagua made a stopover to greet learners of Ngamwa Primary Schools in Mukurweini Constituency, Nyeri County.
“It was an opportunity to encourage the youngsters to remain focused and disciplined because academic excellence guarantees a brighter future,” Gachagua said.
On Friday, Gachagua held discussions with members of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its president Erick Ruto at his Karen Residence.
Gachagua said that local entrepreneurs are key partners in the implementation of far-reaching economic programmes geared towards improving the lives of our people.
“The Ruto Administration believes in entrepreneurship and its ability to uplift the nation's global manufacturing profile on top of creating thousands of job opportunities for the youths locally. Our endeavour is to deal with red tape and bureaucratic hurdles to make it easier to do business,’’ Gachagua said.
On the same day, Gachagua held a meeting with the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) to keep abreast of the ongoing transfer of the remaining functions to Counties.
Present were IGRTC Chairman Kithinji Kiragu, Chief Executive Officer Kipkurui Chepkwony and other senior officials
“The Ruto Administration is fully committed to the success of Devolution. It is a dispensation that has greatly transformed the country since its inception," Gachagua said.
“We are keen to continue nurturing a smooth working relationship with all the Counties for our people to draw the full benefits from the two levels of Government."