Multiple levies imposed on banana buyers and poor infrastructure at Ntharene Market are threatening one of Meru County’s major sources of income, former MCA Mwirigi Karinga has warned.
Karinga, a banana farmer from Ntharene, said buyers are charged at the market, during loading and again while transporting bananas to other destinations.
“A buyer is taxed inside Ntharene Market when he buys. He is taxed again at the barrier when he loads, and then stopped and taxed again on transit to Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa. The same bunch of bananas is taxed three times before it leaves Meru,” Karinga said.
He said the multiple charges were discouraging buyers from travelling to Ntharene, reducing demand for bananas and exposing farmers to losses.
“How do you kill economy? You over-tax the customer,” he said.
Karinga said Ntharene is a major banana trading centre serving farmers from South Imenti and neighbouring areas, but lacks basic facilities such as adequate water, toilets and security.
He claimed the county government collects close to Sh1 million every month from market fees and cess.
“How can a market that gives you Sh1 million a month not have a toilet? How can a market that feeds the region have no water?” he said.
Karinga also raised concerns over poor feeder roads connecting banana-producing areas to Ntharene, saying farmers face difficulties moving their produce to the market.
The affected roads include those serving Baranga, Mwichiune, Yururu, Ithitwe, Gaatia, Kanyakine, Mitunguu and Igoji.
He warned that poor infrastructure and high taxation could drive buyers away and undermine an agricultural sector supporting thousands of households.
“You cannot milk a cow you refuse to feed, and you cannot tax a buyer until he runs away,” Karinga said.
He called for a review of the multiple levies, improved market facilities and better feeder roads to protect the banana trade.
