You have abandoned us, Murang’a dairy farmers tell county Gov’t

Dairy farmers from Kagunduini, Muranga County are living in fear as they their properties risk being auctioned after failure to pay loans issued by the County government.

The farmers had reportedly secured the loans through the county government’s dairy cow project dubbed “One Youth One Cow”  – an economic empowerment project.

The farmers have now accusing the county of leaving them out to dry.

“The program was started by the county government early last year and was targeted at improving the county’s milk production and helping us acquire quality dairy cows at a cheaper price but instead we have been conned and left to suffer,” a farmer said.

The county government is said to have bought the cows through a loan of Ksh22 million secured from Mentor Sacco where every farmer was to produce a cash deposit of Ksh10, 000 and a maximum of Ksh9, 000 to cater for insurance. Farmers were then meant to settle the rest in installments from proceeds gotten from their dairy businesses.

“The dairy cows were not worth the high prices and they are not as productive were made to believe,” lamented Edward Kamau, an affected dairy farmer.

Kamau further lamented that they low production has put the farmers in the corner as they are unable to make enough money to pay off the loan.

“I settled for a dairy cow pricing at Ksh170,000 after being convinced it’s the right choice with a production of 30 liters of milk daily. After receiving the cow the most it has ever produced is 8liters in a day,” he said.

He added: “Because of the situation we have not been able to service our loans and we are now living in fear of having our properties auctioned after being served with demand letters.”

One of the residents, Lucy Njeri, also complained about the situation.

“My cow fell ill; I have not been milking for quite some time. This has made it impossible for me to service the loan. I am worried I have been served with a demand letter to pay the arrears totaling to Ksh60,000.”

The farmers have urged Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria to come to their plight and help them resolve the matter.