Farmer in court to stop coffee taskforce report implementation

A coffee farmer representative on Thursday moved to court to block proposals made by a taskforce to reform the sector.

Harrison Munyi, who is also the chairman of New National Farmers’ Association, argued that the team did not include farmers’ views.

According to their argument before the court, the association presented a petition to the President containing farmers’ grievances and the President in turn appointed the National Coffee Taskforce to collect views from farmers and all other matters affecting them.

He further argued that their views were not included in the report adding that the taskforce favored powerful personalities in the coffee industry leaving out ordinary farmers.

“Despite the protest, the taskforce ignored our views and presented a report to the President which was gazette on June 2, 2016 and is due for implementation any time from now,”claimed Munyi.

He now wants the court to stop the principal secretary of Agriculture and Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett from implementing the taskforce report pending hearing and determination of the case.

Judge Joseph Onguto ordered that the respondents be served before the case is heard.

The taskforce comprised of Nairobi Java Group Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Ashley, Robin Achoki, Githuku Mwangi, Andrew Karanja, Susan Maira, Patrick Katingima and Anne Onyango.

Other members were Hiram Mwaniki, Newton Nderitu, Adrian Atugi, Paul Kukubo, Philomena Koskei , Josphat Makhanu, Nelson Gichaba Simba and AG Githu Muigai.