Jumatatu Coffee Growers Cooperative Society Management Board in Kabazi Ward Nakuru County has been dissolved to pave way for new leadership.
The Society that was established in 1963 has been facing a lot of challenges with a section of members pointing accusing finger at the leadership.
However, Speaking on Wednesday at the Gachombe Factory in Kabazi during the Society’s Annual General Meeting, Subukia Sub County Cooperative officer Xavier Lugaga refuted claims that there was mismanagement of the Society.
According to the officer, the action was reached after mutual understanding among the members and the leadership of the Society.
“There are allegations of poor governance and non compliance with the law but I want to state that the action of dissolving the Board of management was reached through mutual understanding, no one is guilty” said Mr.Lugaga.
Jumatatu Coffee Growers Cooperative Society has two factories one at Gachombe while the other is situated at Gitura in Subukia sub county.
Subukia Sub County Cooperative officer Xavier Lugaga admitting that the Society has had challenges but they are in the process of reviving the same.
“This is one of the biggest societies, it had gone down but we are working to see it revived” said Mr.Lugaga.
Sentiments echoed by one of the outgoing officials James Kamau Mburu who said the Society has continued to pay farmers despite the many challenges among them bad weather experienced this year.
According to Mr.Mburu,the society managed to pay farmers close to Kshs.48 Million in the year 2016/17 while in 2017/18 due to bad weather they were only able t pay farmers Kshs.9 million.
He reiterates that the Society is there to stay calling on members to desist from divisive politics that might not help their development.
Currently the society has more than 400 registered members.
“The only problem we have is that the founders who some have passed away and the remaining ones do not want to allow new young members to join” said Mr.Mburu.
He called on the County government of Nakuru through the Agriculture department to ensure Field extension farmers reach the coffee growers too.
PHOTO/Pristone Mambili:Subukia Sub County Cooperative officer Xavier Lugaga addressing media at the Gachombe Factory in Kabazi on September 5th 2018 during Jumatatu Coffee Growers Cooperative Society’s Annual General Meeting.
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