Tomato farmers in Nakuru County will benefit after a bill meant to regulate tomato trade was passed by the Nakuru County Assembly on Wednesday.
Speaking outside the assembly, Kabazi Ward MCA Waithaka Mwangi,who sponsored the bill, said that he decided to table it after listening to the plight of tomato farmers in his ward and other tomato growing areas in Nakuru County.
Mwangi said that tomatoes are one of the crops that do well in the county and lack of a law to regulate the sale of the commodity was a set-back to many farmers.
"Currently, the businessmen are using one crate to pack tomatoes meant for two crates. That is not good for the farmer,” said Mwangi.
The bill states that tomatoes packed in a crate should not exceed 50kgs.
The MCA noted that the cost of growing tomatoes had gone up sharply which has resulted to farmers making losses.
The bill was passed by all MCAs present in the assembly and is now awaiting Governor Kinuthia Mbugua’s assent.
"Very soon the police at the road blocks will start checking traders who violate this law once it signed,” said Mwangi.