National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula./FILE
National Assembly
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has identified fraud and mismanagement as the greatest
threats to the growth of cooperative societies in the country.
While calling on
farmers to take control of their cooperative societies and remove corrupt
officials, the speaker said the credibility of the societies lies on how they
deal with those accused of mismanaging funds and exploiting members.
Speaking at St.
Peter’s Catholic Church in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County, Wetang’ula
said farmers must not tolerate theft and fraud within their cooperatives,
warning that such practices were weakening the agricultural sector.
“We must remove
corrupt officials from our cooperative societies who have made it a habit of
stealing from the sweat of our farmers,” said Wetang’ula.
“Allowing a few
individuals to mismanage funds and swindle producers undermines the very
foundation of the agricultural sector.”
He cited cases in
Bungoma County, particularly in Mount Elgon and Kimilili, where coffee farmers
continue to suffer losses due to mismanagement by cooperative officials.
Wetang’ula contrasted this with cooperatives in Central Kenya, which he said
are better run and deliver higher returns to farmers.
“When President
William Ruto assumed office in 2022, the price of coffee per kilo was just
Sh50. Today, that price has risen to Sh160, partly because of improved support
to the sector,” he said.
The Speaker
attributed some of the gains to government initiatives such as the distribution
of fast-maturing coffee seedlings and the promotion of research-backed farming
techniques.
“Regardless of the
size of your land, I encourage our people to plant coffee seedlings. In the
near future, you and your families will reap significant benefits,” he said.
Wetang’ula also
called for stricter governance in the cooperative sector, including regular
audits, open membership meetings, and legal action against officials found
guilty of embezzlement.
He warned that
boards failing to act could face legal consequences and a collapse in public
confidence.
His comments come
amid growing concern over the integrity of cooperative societies and Saccos
across the country, with a number of them facing allegations of financial
mismanagement, asset misappropriation, and insider dealings.
“Cooperatives must
remain farmer-owned and member-driven institutions. Farmers
should not be afraid to speak out. Demand accountability and demand justice ,” Wetang’ula said.
He concluded by
urging county agricultural officers and farmers’ associations to play a more
active role in protecting members’ interests and restoring faith in cooperative
governance.