The Committee on Trade, Industry & Cooperatives, led by Vice Chairperson Hon. Marianne Kitany (Aldai), today turned away Cooperatives PS Patrick Kilemi due to his inadequate responses to queries posed by MPs.
PS Kilemi had been invited before the House Team to address concerns raised by Hon. Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes) regarding the delayed payment to dairy and coffee farmers by various Cooperatives in Embu County.
The PS acknowledged the past delays in payments for dairy by New K.C.C Ltd, revealing that the Ministry is working towards ensuring that they are paid by the 5th of every month starting July 2024.
Regarding coffee farmers, he said the Ministry has established a direct settlement system (DSS), that is aimed at ensuring delays are eradicated.
However, his explanation failed to satisfy the MPs, who emphasized that the delay in payment issues transcends Embu County and affects farmers countrywide.
Committee members however demanded a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the ministry’s strategies to prevent delays in payments to dairy and coffee farmers across the country.
In response, PS Kilemi requested additional time to furnish the committee with detailed answers, a move that irked the lawmakers.
“You were not adequately prepared for this session. We cannot proceed with this meeting,” stated Hon. Kitany.
The Vice Chairperson directed that in the subsequent session, Ministry head CS Simon Chelugui must personally appear before the committee to provide detailed insights into their plans for eradicating delays in farmer payments.
