10. The Flame March 28 - April 4, 2002. Count down to transit ion e1ection 7. TheFlame March 28 ::Pril 4, 2002 Readers Voice Shall the New C )ffee Act have any impact in the who wereviolently demanding split 9 coffee growers themselves. Police i; general elections . Kibaki warned that it would be ofthe giant Tetu Coffee Growers Why 1hururu By Flame Reporter wrong forfew people, especially Cooperative Society. The rebels were led by both I RiT11U!LI] iWiiUL( The new Coffee (Act 2001), politicians to brag ofhaving brought dispensary is Kihoro and Muya. which was enacted by Parlia- the matter before Parliament adding In three months, I have noted a new are taken back to Othaya police After the split the same rebels meet last December is now in that it is the farmer who made every trend with police in Othaya division. station where they are locked and collapsing assumed leadership in their respec- eventually an aigned in court with operation. effort to address the problems the Everyday, mostjunior police - tive factories, which became - Now the growing concern among sub-sector has been undergoing. officers in Othaya police station allegedly being drunk and disor primary cooperative societies of the the coffee farmers is whether the Today several MP's are now divide themselves in groups in order deny. fragmentedgiant body. new Act will streamline the ailing blowing their trumphet telling their to harass commuter. The matatu owners have now This has seen several active threatened to hike fare so that they coffee sub-sector or not. constituents that they have finally The police set themselves along growers either abandon their However, even before the impact brought them salvation they have junctions leading to places like can get some money to bribe they produce or start their own coop- ofthe Act has started being felt, been striving to have in their coffee Thunguri, thuririo, Mahiga Chinga corrupt police officers. erative societies. some Members ofParliament has farming. and Karima. Last month, the area Mp Mwai The cooperative societies they started braging, arguing that they But when we talk ofcoffee, it is I have noted that police officers Kibaki castigated police for harass- have started are yet to be filly were the chiefarchitect the whole always good to take into account waylay public service vehicles in ing traders. established owing to lack of finds. move. what contribution lawmakers in some spots where they order the It seems they have now shifted to There are still some societies like It is important to note that the : district have made. passengers to alight. the matatu indsfry. Kagumo Farmers Cooperative Coffee Bit!, which was deI' ited in Legislators Wanyiri Kihoro, (Nyeri They usually threaten the passen- Nyeri OCPD should do some- where members are still at war. Parliament before being enacted to Town) Paul Gikonyo Muya (Tetu) gers with arrest for no apparent thing. What has shocked stakeholders is become the Coffee Act was the and David Muhika Mutahi reason. that the two MP's have declined to Conerned commuter work ofstakeholders in the coffee (Mukurwe-ini) are remembered In some incidents, ifthe passen- bring their people together or even Thunguri, Othaya hidustry. during the coffee wars. gers fail to give them money, they show their rebel leaders now on Farmers were called to discuss the The three made a very big impact in charge of 14 cooperative societies 'We need water, issue in a number of meetings. the sub-sector that will never be how to adapt themselves. One ofthese meetings was the deleted from the minds ofthe 0 a This 14 cooperative societies have not mF'%o1it1C.S Thika meeting which was convened farmers. all very little production as only lovers by the then Minister for Agriculture We do not intend to witch hunt any Last week, assistant minister for ofviolence deliver their crop there. Dr Chris Obure one but as they say 'give the devil its Water Tofa Kola visited out water The fear that has gripped the anapology The meeting had brought stake- due'. project, Aguthi water project. growers is that the togetherness I am a residnt ofKieni constitu- holders from all over the country Today, farmers in Nyeri Town and The minister was accompanied they once used to enjoy may never ency and a member of Democratic together. Teth constituencies have nothing to by N W C PC officials. be revived due to the enemity Party of . In a nutshell farmers should be celebrate inthe wake ofthe new After touring the project, the created by the coffee wars. Last Week, my MP Dr Chris credited for having aired their views Coffee Act. minister, water officials and provin- In Mukurwe-ini, Mutahi can walk Murungaru was elected a director on problems facing the coffee The Act has fully liberalised the cial administration held two public tall for having been a critic of the ofNyeri town based water corn- industiy, sub-sector giving the growers the barazas at Gatitu and Muthinga. split since the 12 primary societies pany. Despite their efforts, some Mem- freedom to choose their won It was agreed that the residents of created, which are shov'ing some My question is, what interest does bers ofParliament now want to marketing agents. the affected areas sit together and signs of unity. Kieni MP have in Nyeri Town take credit. Before only the Coffee Board of have ways ofreviving the project. The primary societies split from the constituency. This is one danger that the electors Kenya had the monopoly to market But some people are now bringing giant Mukurwe-ini Coffee Growers We have less than an year before in Nyeri district will have to wrestle farmers coffee where they deducted politics instead ofissues that will Cooperative Society. the next general elections. Dr with as the sitting MP's will come 12 per cent ofthe total sales. assist us. Despite Mutahi 's efforts, everyone Murungaruyou asna apology for with the new Coffee Act gospel. The lamentations by farmers from Let such people know we need in the constituency is blaming him abandoning us Last month, the the two constituencies is that coffee water not politics. for having supported a corrupt Peter Mama Mwangi ofKnya National Chairman Mwai production have sharply declined. Mary Wambui Mwangi management committee ofthe Amboni village Kibaki told farmers in his i:haya A number ofgrowers were forced Muthinga, Tetu division defunct society, which forced Kieni West division - constituency that the new Act to abandon the crop due to constant people to split. I I ;iEditor welcomes lettersv ia ureaders. Indicate your ii s should be seen as efFort by the harassments by the rebels farmers

8. The Flame March 28 - April 4, 2002 NEWS 9 The Flame March 28 - ADril 4, 2002 NEWS

7 , 1 . Coffee farme, s opposed to "hree Nyeri Council chief onicers eyes. Council needs farmers to choose their indepen- 'm prayers - official ldent marketing agent came in force ml! M1, I! each others throat By tovit"s decisioli, on March 25. By Fbme corresot By Flame Reporter The clerk accused the tresurer of Farmers in Nyeri now want the among other things, releasing Nyeri DP sub-branch official Coffee farmers in Nyeri district Council senior government to clarify what agents cheques while knowing that the Wanyaga Gathaka says that Nyeri say they will not accept the liberalisation means ifthey will be chiefofficers are embroiled in a Municipal council needs prayers. "M council has no money and releasing government's proposal on tussle overthe running of the forced to contract people who are some official secrets. Wanyaga said that the town has appointment oftheir produce i aonoureof7 , cash-strapped local authority. not oftheir choice to market the Mucheru also accused Ndichu witnessed a series ofdisasters in the marketing agents. By Flame Correspondent Accusations and counter accusa- produce. ofallegedly allowing shylocks to recent past a pointer that "God was The farmers interviewed accused tions have become the order of the Joseph Wamiti who is also a Three insurance agents based in discount cheques. angry with Nyeri leaders" the government ofhaving a sinister day. civic leader said the government Nyeri were recently honoured But last month, the tresurer The DP official claimed that the motive on its proposal that only four The infighting pities the County was planning to handpick some for the exemporaly perfor- wrote back to the clerk denying the fall ofa mugurno tree where several agents will be licensed to market Clerk SS Mucheru and Treasurer agents who they have vested mance. accusations leved against him. traders were injured at Kamukunji coffee. JN Ndichu. interests. The agents were among the top Some civic leaders and workers grounds is a bad omen which calls Last week, the Minister for The Flame has reliably estab- Another farmer Mama Mwangi 50 agents selling life policies last accuse the clerk ofvictimising the for prayers. Agriculture Bonaya Godana said lishedthat civic leaders and the said that they government wanted year across the country. employee who are perceived to be "The giant mugumo tree feel the government will only give permit workers are divided with some to create a cartel akin what has They were led by Pan Africa siding with his opponents. barely two weeks after two traders to four agents whovNifl be allowed supporting the clerk while others been going on before the new Insurance's Paul Kibicho who was Meanwhile, the Kenya Local from 'Soko Huru ' market had been to sell coffee on behalf of the the tresurer. coffee bill was passed. also honoured for his best perfor- Government Workers Union, Nyeri shot dad during a forceftul eviction" farmers in the entire country. We have learnt that the bone of The farmers said that the govern-j mance in the year 2000. County branch has suspended their Wanyaga observed. The minister however did not contention is the report that impli- ment should allow as many market- The other two are Kibichos chairman Joseph Njogu Gathu. He suggested that the prayers explain why the government came cated the duo, other senior officers ing agents as possible so long as colleague James Ngararu and Njogu was sacked last week and shouki be held at Old Municipal Hall up with such a policy without and the county chairman Geofrey they comply with the laid down Madison Insurance's Charles immediately replaced by his vice- next to where the slain traders used consulting the stakehoiders. Gitonga Ndegwa on misappropria- regulations and procedures. Muiniri Gatama. chairman Francis M Muiruri. to operate from. The new coffee Act that allows tion ofmilhions ofshillings belonging The three and 47 other from The suspension letter was signed Wanvaga said he has already to the indebted council. , different parts ofthe country were by Muiruri and the branch secre- consul ,cl various clergymen and are Early this year, Mucheru wrote a Minister visit Mathira polytechnics honoured during a colourftil gala tary Joseph Kiongo. willing to lead in prayers. letter to Ndichu where he acused Before visiting Mathira, Ruto who dinner held at the Grand Regency The election for the post will be 'Plans fro the prayers are at an BvFlame Correndent him offailing to run his office was accompanied by the area hotel, . held on April 20 during their annual advanced stage and very soon I will Vocational training minister properly. Kanu chairman Peter Kururu met The awarding ceremony was general meeting. announce the date" he said. Isaac Ruto last Wednesday with deputy PC organised through the Association visited various youth polytech- Kiritu Wamae and Nyeri district ofKenya AKI 's Life Insurance nics in Mathira division. Council. Row rages over Mathira churchplot DO! Ben Mugambi at PC's office. He said it.is only te two parties The minister said the government After touring the polytechnics, All the 50 agents were awarded By Flame Correspondents opponent and Mathira MP Matu was committed in reviving the a certificate ofrecognition and a Wamae. (his father and the church) who the minister had a baraza near The row pitting Hiriga PCEA should sit down and resolve the polytechnics across the country so Karatina town where he urged the badge. church and the local community The plot issue first resurfaced last week during a public baraza dispute amicably. that many people couldjoin them. Kikuyu community to join Kanu The first top three agents also persisted as two politician received trophies and gift items. convened by Nyeri DC David cI am aware that the situation has traded accusations over a become very desperate on the II They further received cash prizes controversial plot. Jakaiti at Kaiyaba chief's camp. ofSh5O, 000 for the best agent, Speakers during the baraza ground but I must advise these By Flame correspondent In the last two years, Mureithi An aspirant for the Mathira Sh30,000 for the runners-up and accused aspirant's father Gachagua politicians that ifthey are true has donated several heifers to parliamentary seat James Nderitu Nyeri district Kanu chairman Sh20,000 for the third agent. Reriani ofgrabbing the church plot. leaders they must resist the tempta- various public institutions in Tetu Gachagua absolved his father over Peter Gichohi Mureithi last Apart from being among the best But in a rejoinder, Nderitu lion ofharassing family membersf and Nyeri Municipality divisions. accusations that he had grabbed the week donated a cow to Kihatha 50 agents, Kibicho and Ngararu Gachagua accused the NIP of aspiring candidates", Gachagua said Mureithi has declared interest in church plot. secondary school. were both declared to be among dragging his name in the saga in a in a statement. Nyeri Town constituency parlia- Gachagua issued a statement to The cow will boost supply of milk the top ten agents in the country move to discredit him ahead of The MIP said that the issue would mentary seat currently held by down play a demonstration alleg- for consumption by the students and during theyear 2001 general elections. be resolved on April 9 when all the members of staff Wanyiri Kihoro. edly organised by his political parties meet at the controversial site.