Kigucwa Coffee Cooperative society is counting losses after acres of thriving macadamia trees, owned by the society, valued at millions of shillings were destroyed to clear land earmarked for the National Affordable Housing project.
The Coffee factory’s management and farmers now accuse their area MP Mpuru Aburi for ordering the flattening the crop belonging to the factory without consultation, leaving them grappling with heavy losses and an uncertain future.
During the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held today Monday , factory chairman Julius Mwilaria condemned the move, terming it illegal and not following the due procedure of law.
Mwilaria said the MP’s directive made last week, blindsided the management of the Mutethia Cooperative Society, under which the factory operates and undermined years of investment by local farmers.
“We are not against government projects but there is a lawful procedure to be followed and compensation to be done. It is ironical for the government to champion macadamia and coffee farming nationwide, yet the same government destroys crops that generate over KSh 5 million in income” added Mwilaria.
Mwilaria noted that the cooperative, which relies heavily on proceeds from macadamia and coffee to pay employees and run factory operations, had effectively lost its main source of revenue overnight.
The destruction they added has thrown the factory’s financial stability into jeopardy at a time when farmers were beginning to enjoy the fruits of improved global prices for both crops.
Flanked by board members, Mwilaria announced that the cooperative will be moving to court to block the commencement of construction until full compensation is offered.
“We are seeking legal redress immediately We will not allow the project to kick off until the farmers and the entire cooperative are compensated for this unwarranted destruction” noted the chairman.
His sentiments were echoed by Cornelius Monyo, the sub-county cooperative officer, who also criticized the manner in which the land was cleared.
Monyo argued that proper legal steps were ignored and that the farmers’ economic rights were violated in the process.
“The farmers have a right to air their grievances the government must listen to them because right now, macadamia and coffee are lucrative both locally and globally. Destroying such a crop without due procedure is not only unlawful but economically devastating.”said the officer.
Another farmer or the hundreds of farmers who depend on the factory, the loss goes far beyond uprooted trees. Many had invested their savings in macadamia farming after years of government-led campaigns encouraging diversification of cash crops. Others had taken loans—betting on the booming global nut market—to expand their orchards.
“I don’t know how I will repay my loan now,” lamented one farmer at the meeting, staring at photos of the flattened trees. “These macadamia trees were my retirement plan.”
Another farmer Colleta Montu said the destruction felt like a betrayal given that the government has been actively promoting value-addition in the coffee and macadamia value chains, promising higher earnings and improved livelihoods.
As the tension escalates, the farmers are now appealing to Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to intervene urgently.
They want the CS to halt the project until investigations are done and assurances are given that compensation will be paid.
They also urged President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithire Kindiki whose administration has been vocal about supporting farmer-centred economic growth to ensure that justice is served and that development projects do not undermine the livelihoods of innocent Kenyans .
“We support government development projects but development should not come at the expense of hardworking citizens. We only ask for fairness and compensation for what we have lost.” said Montu .
Tigania East Mp last week visited the area and announce the land is earmarked for the construction of the affordable housing hence residents and unknown people took charge to cut the trees destroying more than 100 trees for macadamia.
