Pyrethrum farmers in Nakuru have called on the government to audit and repossess all assets in the hands of individuals.
The County Government of Nakuru is leading the 18 pyrethrum growing counties in the country to revive the crop.
The counties are Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua and Elgeyo Marakwet, among others.
Pyrethrum growing areas in Nakuru include Eburru, Naivasha East, Bahati, Kuresoi South and North, Njoro and Molo.
Farmers in Eburru, Gilgil have decried the leasing of steam-powered pyrethrum flowers drier to an individual by rogue cooperative officials without their knowledge and consent.
Veronica Wanjiku said they have nowhere to take their flowers upon picking and are forced to dry and store the produce in their houses.
Wanjiku said that some people are allergic to the flowers and could lead to life-threatening complications adding that it takes much time and labour drying in the sun.
Kenya was the leading pyrethrum producer in the world market for 60 years, providing 70 percent of the global supply, until the late 90s when the sector came to a halt.
The farmers said, with the collapse, assets were stolen and ownership changed.
Failure by the sole buyer, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK), to promptly pay the over 300, 000 pyrethrum farmers in the country and low seedling quality led to the collapse.
Gachari Muhoro, a farmer in Eburru, said with the revival of the sector the economy will grow.
The County Government of Nakuru has partnered with private investors in the pyrethrum sub-sectors namely Kentagra, HighChem and Africhem in revitalizing the pyrethrum growing.
The County is leading in the provision of adequate seedlings, the establishment of nurseries and training and extension services.
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