Farmers seek refund after Murang’a County govt fails to supply subsidised fertilizer
Robinson Karanja displays a receipt he was issued with for supply of subsidised fertilizer by the Murng'a County government through Weithaga Coffee Factory. After failing to get the fertilizer the farmers have demanded for a refund of their money. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They said they decide to ask for the refund after months of waiting and being taken in circles thus by the county government.
- They added that they had not received any communication over the matter.
- The visibly angry farmers threatened to hold demonstration if the issue is not addressed.
Coffee farmers from a factory in Murang’a County want a refund of money they say they had submitted to the county government for supply of subsidised fertilizer.
They have given the county government until Tuesday to refund more than half a million that was collected from them by county officials.
The more than two hundred farmers from Weithaga Coffee Factory said they had paid the money to the county for the subsidised fertilizer months ago but no single bag has been provided to them.
Speaking to journalists, they said they decide to ask for the refund after months of waiting and being taken in circles thus by the county government.
Displaying the receipts, the farmers said they could not wait any longer as it was raining and they had not yet received the fertilizer.
They added that they had not received any communication over the matter.
DISPLAYED RECEIPTS
“It is raining and none of the farmers from the factory has received any fertilizer yet we paid up months ago.
“Some us paid as early as January and this receipt of Sh3,600 is enough proof that I paid for the fertilizers yet none has ever been supplied,” said Robinson Karanja as he displayed his receipt.
The visibly angry farmers threatened to hold demonstration if the issue is not addressed.
“We want the county government to intervene quickly as they are the ones who asked us to pay the money to the factory promising to buy the subsidised fertilizers on behalf of farmers at the Sagana NCPB warehouse. If they fail to do so we will stage a protest,” said a farmer who identified himself as Muchemi.
The factory chairman said that they had tried to purchase the fertilizer but were informed that there was none remaining at the Sagana warehouse so they had to wait for another batch to be brought in.
He added that they were in talks with the county government and will refund the money to the farmers by Tuesday.
