Kisii coffee farmers will receive their dues for the months of December and January this week, officials have said.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Coffee Board of Kenya headquarters in Kisii town, branch manager Robert Kariuki said all logistics had been put in place to ensure that all farmers are sorted out before Monday next week.
He said the late payments were as a result of delays from their potential clients outside the country, who responded last week after months of waiting.
“By Monday we will ensure every farmer has received his or her dues," Kariuki said.
"The delay was explainable since of customers from abroad had delayed our payments but we are happy they responded last week.”
“There was also delay in exporting our products at the airport but the problem was solved after the government moved in with speed to solve the impasse.”
He apologised to the farmers over the delay and promised improved mechanisms to ensure the menace does to emerge henceforth.
“We are very sorry for the delay. Therefore, please do not get irritated with us since we have put mechanisms to ensure the predicament never catches up with us again,” he said.
The moves received applause from farmers who said they had not lost hope in their organisation and promised to continue cooperating.
“We are very happy that this comes at a critical time when we are in dire need of school fees for our children. We will continue cooperating with the board,” said Kelvin Ogeto, a veteran coffee farmer.