Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will Monday hold crucial talks with KTDA directors as he seeks to catapult major reforms in the Agriculture Sector.
Gachagua has been tasked by President William Ruto to lead the government's agenda to reform the Coffee, Milk and Tea sub-sectors.
On Sunday, Ruto also reaffirmed that Gachagua's assignment to spearhead the reforms is not a trap to set him up for failure, but a radical plan to enhance farmers' fortunes.
“Tomorrow (Monday) I have summoned the KTDA directors for a meeting so that we sit down and find a solution to the exploitation of tea farmers," Gachagua said Sunday.
The DP has complained the Kenya Tea Development Authority had been infiltrated by cartels and brokers who have exploited farmers.
Speaking during an interdenominational thanksgiving at Bomet Green Stadium on Sunday, the DP cautioned cartels in the sectors that their days are numbered.
“Your excellency those cartels in these sub-sectors by mid of this year if you hear them complaining assume them, you know you have a big heart with a lot of sympathy, they have traumatised our farmers,” he said.
Speaking during the same event, Ruto directed Gachagua to proceed with the reforms without any fear.
“That responsibility of tackling brokers and cartels in these sectors will be handled by my deputy. I know he will deliver because he has a soft spot for the downtrodden and will ensure the job is done,” Ruto said.
The President rubbished reports that, by tasking Gachagua with Coffee, Milk and Tea reforms, he had set him up for failure.
"There are those spreading propaganda that I have assigned him in that role to fix him to fail, If my Deputy President fails, where will I be? Won’t that mean that I have also failed? he paused.
"Those opposed to the roles I have assigned him to know that he will deliver. Move with speed and rid of those cartels and brokers,” he affirmed.
On January 9, through Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, Ruto appointed Gachagua to be in charge of the Coffee sector reforms in the country.
"This Order assigns functions and institutions among Ministries and State Departments as hereunder; and supersedes Executive Order No. 1 of 2022 issued on October 12, 2022," he said.
Gachagua has been championing far-reaching reforms in the sectors saying the Kenya Kwanza government will liberate farmers from the yoke of slavery by 'cartels and brokers'.
