Uasin Gishu County Assembly on Friday passed a motion asking the County Government of Uasin Gishu to deduct cess from farmers after payment on the produce delivered to millers.
The county government has been deducting cess before farmers are paid by millers.
The motion was moved by the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Agriculture Committee chair Joel Rugut who said the current system is punitive to farmers.
“We are heading to harvesting season and farmers will be delivering their produce to millers and despite the challenges, they face they are forced to pay for cess before millers pay them. This is inhuman,” said the Kipsomba MCA.
He spoke while moving the motion on Friday during a special seating.
“I am moving this motion so that that the County government should deduct the cess after farmers have been paid since they cannot afford to pay before millers pay them,” added the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Agriculture Committee chair.
Julius Songok MCA Tulwet/Chuiyat ward seconded the motion saying farmers have to look for money to pay cess in advance yet they are not sure when the payments will be made.
Deputy Speaker Hosea Korir directed the departments of Finance and Agriculture to educate the assembly on the current cess regime.