By Kimuri Mwangi
Farmers from Rumukia Farmers’ Co-operative Society Ltd in Nyeri County can now relax as their Co-operative is safe from the auctioneer’s hammer for now.
This is after the intervention of Governor Mutahi Kahiga who facilitated negotiations between the two parties. Rumukia FCS in Mukurwe-ini Sub-county was put on auction notice due to an outstanding debt it owes Taifa Sacco Society Limited. The Kshs.163 million loan inclusive of accrued interest was taken in 2015 and has been accumulating over the years. Taifa Sacco has been on the neck of Rumukia threatening to auction the Co-operative an action that had caused panic to over 8,000 members associated with it. Eight factories affiliated to the society produce an average of 4 million kilograms of cherry per year.
Governor Mutahi Kahiga on Friday witnessed the signing of the agreement between Rumukia Farmers’ Co-operative Society Ltd and Taifa Sacco Society Ltd where Taifa Sacco agreed to restructure the loan repayment to a period of six years and waive the accrued interest of over Kshs. 20 million. The agreement was signed outside the Governor’s office by the representatives of the two societies led by their chairmen, Paul Chiera for Rumukia FCS and James Giting’a for Taifa Sacco.
“This will help bestow confidence to Rumukia FCS members and ensure that the two societies will continue to work together as they have done over the years, for the benefit of their members. My government will also offer extension services to ensure farmers increase production and that governance is enhanced,” said Governor Kahiga.
The two chairmen lauded the governor for his quick intervention and continued support by his government. Mukurwe-ini West MCA Hon. Atanasio Wakabaire also thanked the Governor for the intervention.
Others present during the signing of the agreement were Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives CEC Diana Kendi, Chief Officer Adan Eden, Cooperative Director Peter Theuri, Agriculture CEC James Wachihi, County Secretary Ben Gachichio, County Attorney Kimani Rucuiya among others.
