Coffee farmers from fifteen factories and five societies in Gatundu North District have accused their MP, Kigo Njenga, of blocking the refund of their contribution for starting a bank. The irate members said that the legislator had gone to the Coffee Board of Kenya which was to refund Sh 400 million contributed by farmers in 2010 and blocked the exercise. Njenga, who termed the allegations as malicious and madness, is also accused of influencing the refund to be made through the new Gatukuyu Coffee Growers Society where deductions of the farmers’ six years interest would be made and transaction charges. Edwin Kamau, the operation treasurer said Kigo had blocked the refund of Sh 448000 of the society’s shareholders. Peter Irenge who is the chairman of Karuri coffee factory said that they were extremely annoyed by their MP because of causing collapse in coffee sector in the area. “Although Karuri farmers get their pay through Gatukuyu society, it does not mean they have agreed to the MPs scheme,” said Irenge. He added, “The farmers’ millions of shillings are going into waste as factories’ sales permits are withdrawn after rejecting the MPs persuasion into the grower’s society.” Representatives from Buchana, Mang’u, Kanyoni and Kiriko societies noted that the MP was killing the existing market instead of assisting the farmers in getting new markets for their coffee. They now want the government to intervene before they take a legal action.

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