The government will set aside funds to cushion coffee farmers from the foreseeable effects of reforms in the sub sector, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said.
Gachagua said the government will use the funds to buy the produce from farmers should buyers keep off the auction.
He said he is aware of brokers keen on sabotaging the reforms process by discouraging potential buyers.
“We have had some saying they will not buy these coffees because of these reforms and that we should revert to the old ways but there is no problem because even if they refuse to buy we are organised, we set some funds and pay farmers,” he stated.
Speaking when he presided over the re-opening of the Nairobi Coffee Exchange Auction, the DP also reiterated his commitment to ensure the raft of changes are realised as tasked by the President despite antagonism from some quarters.
Gachagua said measures put in place were slowly bearing fruits but urged farmers to remain patient even as he maintains they have no interests in it.
“Tutakuwa na shida kama hii (We will have a problem like this) for one year na hii watu (with these people) and I want to prepare you mvumilie (be patient, we will suffer a bit. We will fight them), tutaumia kidogo…tunataka kupigana nao and sort out this problem once and for all."
Mkulima apate soko auze kahawa direct apate haki yake kwa sababu tukikubali maneno yao watatuumiza miaka yote,” he said.
"The farmer should get the market to sell their produce directly because it's their right. If we give them (cartels) a chance they will exploit us for many years.
Gachagua instead told the stakeholders to support the government arguing that farmers have suffered for long.
“Rais William Ruto na mimi na mawaziri hatuna any interests kwa hii mambo ya kahawa, interest yetu ni ile kahawa tunawekewa kwa kikombe tukunywe coffee,” said Gachagua.
Loosely translated: President William Ruto, the CSs and I have no interest at all on coffee. Our only interest is to ensure we have coffee in our cups."
Kenyan coffee, he said, is sold highly in European markets but pay to the farmers does not translate.
