The Standard ­ Thursday
Date: 14.01.2016
Page 17
Article size: 375 cm2
ColumnCM: 83.33
AVE: 200000.0
What Central wants from Uhuru's visit
By NDERITUGICHURE
them boost production and revenue
President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to RESETTLE DEBTS
base.
visit the county later this month, in
Through their chairman Rich­
what observers say is meant to calm ard Muriuki, the squatters said they
the region following reports of dis­ hoped to be resettled at the expan­
contentment. The county has no rep­ sive Solio ranch like their coun­ • Residents are compiling a list
resentation in the Cabinet after Mi­
terparts from Hombe Mworoto, of things they want Uhuru to
chael Kamau was dropped from the who were re­ settled there in 2008. address
Government on corruption charges. "Balloting at the ranch was only is­
Leaders from the county were also sued to the rich and upon inquiry, we • They include land issues, chal­
at the fore front in calling for the res­ were told the were instructions from lenges facing the dairy industry
ignation of former Devolution Cab­ the provincial administrations that and the slumping of the coffee
inet Secretary Anne Waiguru, who the land be given to teacher, doctors and tea sectors
hails from the neigbouring Kirinyaga and businessmen," he said.
• Some 800 colonial squatters
County, over corruption allegations.
Muriuki observed that since from Iruri village in Mathira are
MPs from the county who called for then, they have been living on a five
the resignation of Waiguru were, Es­ acre piece of land located at Rugu­ asking the Government to reset­
ther Murugi (Nyeri Town), Kaban­ ru division in Mathira West, with tle them
do wa Kabando (Murkurwe­ini) and
their population on the increase. • Also on the agenda include the
Kanini Kega (Kieni).
He noted that on May 10, 2011, fate of Nine Economic Stimulus
Their criticism led to an open
programme markets, which are
bashing from other leaders, notably they wrote to Ethics and Anti­Cor­ expected to be handed over to
Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who ac­ ruption Commission, raising con­
the county government
cused them of failing to defend the Ju­ cern over the illegal acquisition
bilee Government against graft alle­ of land and claimed State spent a STANDARD]
gations. "It is unfortunate that when lot of money to resettle squatters.
these three Jubilee MPs speak, they Subsequently on July 2013, they wrote
are in support of the Opposition and to Gachagua, requesting for his inter­
vention.
siding with CORD leaders," he said.
Though the date is not yet con­
Isaac Mathenge, a coffee farmer,
firmed, plans to welcome the Presi­ appealed to the President to focus on
dent are in top gear, with administra­ problems facing the sector.
tors and county government officials
This, he said, can only be do­
working round the clock. Excited res­ ne through phasing out all the
idents are compiling a list of things debts owned and cleaning the mess
they want President Kenyatta to ad­ that has impoverished farmers.
dress. Some of these include land is­ "The exploitation, corruption and rip
sues, challenges facing the dairy in­ off by cartels is doing a lot of harm
to us and the economy at large,"
dustry and the slumping of the coffee Mathenge said.
and tea sectors, which are a source of
He noted that cut­throat compe­
livelihood for many.
tition by the millers and marketers
Also on the agenda include the is to blame for the scramble of the
fate of Nine Economic Stimulus pro­ dwindling coffee beans, especially in
gramme markets, which are expected Mt. Kenya region; as multiple players
to be handed over to the county gov­ sought to have a stake is the sector.
ernment in a couple of weeks.
Mathenge said the entry of the
On Tuesday, Housing Principal county government in the milling
Secretary Aidah Njeri toured the mar­ and coffee through the pool initiative
kets to evaluate their progress.
by Gachagua has not made the thing
With the expected presidential vis­ better.
it, some 800 colonial squatters from
Tea prices according to Peter
Iruri village in Mathira are asking the Maina, a farmer, have also been on the
Government to resettle them. The vil­
decline in the last five years, with the
lage located two kilometers from Saga­ cost of production being exorbitant.
na state lodge, is among many concen­ "Prices offarminputs like fertilizer have
tration camps scattered in the county. skyrocketed, even as production con­
It is where colonial governments de­ tinues to remain constant," he added.
tained innocent people on suspicion Maina appealed to the President to in­
of being Mau Mau fighters in 1952 to tervene so that they can be supplied
1960.
with subsidised fertilisers to enable
Jane Wambui plucks tea leaves at
Wamagana village in Tetu, Nyeri
County yesterday. Tea farmers want
the President to focus on problems
facing the sector, [photo: kibata kihu/
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