The Government has committed to waive coffee farmers debts amounting to Sh6.8 billion. The cabinet chaired by President William Ruto,approved the debt waiver for coffee growers and other coffee sector reforms.
The meetings sanctioned the write off of historical debts amounting to Sh6.8 billion owed by the farmers countrywide.” To facilitate the settlement of the debts accrued, coffee co-operatives, saccos and other creditors are required to submit to the Ministry for Co-operatives, list of farmers who owe them money.
The lists should be accompanied by supporting documents for verification and processing payments, within seven days, read part of the Cabinet brief. The cabinet further warned any fraudulent and fictitious claims, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Speaking in Atlanta, Georgia in the US when addressing Kenyans during his official visit, Ruto disclosed that the coffee debt waiver will be addressed in the cabinet meeting once he returns home. “In the next Cabinet meeting, we will approve a write-off of Ksh6 billion to our farmers, so that we can reduce debts on coffee farming,” said Ruto.
He added that coffee is one of the major income earners with 75 percent of the farmers rated in the small-scale category.