Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba on Wednesday poked holes at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's plans to dismantle cartels, enhance labour conditions, and boost farmers' earnings, pointing out certain flaws in the plan.
Speaking during an interview, the MP voiced her concerns, noting that historical government interventions in the agriculture sector have often led to unfavourable outcomes for farmers.
The lawmaker underscored that Gachagua's strategies for the coffee, tea, and milk industries are likely to falter unless he actively engages with the farmers themselves.
"I do not want to sound like the prophet of doom, but these reforms will fail," she remarked.
The MP asserted that previous administrations' efforts had failed due to flawed strategies and lack of proper research.
She contended that unless the farmers are presented with tangible results, they would be reluctant to embrace the Deputy President's reform initiatives.
To back up her argument, Wamuchomba questioned why there have been few coffee buyers at auctions since the mega Coffee Stakeholders Conference held in Meru in June.
"When the auction was opened only 3,000 bags were sold and they were used to sell 20,000 bags," she stated.
She also disclosed that following the government's revocation of licenses from numerous coffee millers, farmers were grappling with significant challenges, including heightened incidents of theft.
The lawmaker proposed that farmers should have the autonomy to conduct their business without unnecessary government intervention.
"We should stop overcontrolling the farmer, a coffee farmer for example should be paid within seven days. It doesn't matter if it's procedural or not, let us not frustrate the farmer," she added.
"I am looking to benefit the farmers, the reforms are good but let us be careful in the implementation to avoid more losses," she advised.
