Kicker: Annually the sector earns over Sh19 billion
Confusion has continued to reign in the avocado industry after the exporters failed to remit payment to the farmers after collecting tonnes of their fruits.
The farmers in the counties of Murang’a and Kiambu said the exporters have not remitted millions of shillings as they lack the E-Tims.
Avocado farmers, Mary Njambi, David Kariuki and Wainaina Mbugua from Kiambu said their payment is withheld by the exporters. as they have not registered for E-Tims as ordered by KRA.
Speaking at Kenol market in Kandara, Murang’a, they called on the parliament to amend the Finance Act 2023 to exempt the avocado farmers from facing the three percent taxation.
Avocado farmers in a meeting in Kandara, chaired by Joseph Munyui and attended by MPs Edward Muriu( Gatanga) and Chege Njuguna(Kandara) vowed not to pay the taxes as imposed in the finance act, calling on the parliament to amend it.
Kariuki said after the harvesting session was opened on March 1, he sold two and a half Tonnes to an exporter who failed to remit the dues owing to the lack of the invoice.
“This a major problem facing more than six million avocado farmers in the 36 counties, and which can be resolved through amending of the finance act 2023,” said Kariuki.
Wainaina said apart from the taxation, the farmers are faced with the threat of a shortage of containers.
He said on Wednesday night there were long queues of farmers in the pack houses awaiting the supply of the export containers.
” The government should come to the rescue of the avocado industry through amendment of the Finance Act and ensure the farmers’ interests are addressed,” said Wainaina.
Njambi said it was pathetic that the government has failed to come to the rescue of the farmers.
” We are in a critical time as the taxation will push the farmers out of the business,” said Njambi.
Monica Nyambura Mwangi, a farmer in Kandara said they are afraid of engaging the exporters owing to the demand of invoices and prefer selling the produce cheaply in the local market.
“Since am not registered for the invoices, I prefer to sell my produce at Thika and Githurai markets where payment is effected immediately,” said Nyambura.
Kandara MP Mr Chege has written to the speaker of the national assembly notifying him of his intention to move a motion to amend the finance act.