Kisii County is in a coffee business tussle with a private developer over permit to transport coffee within the county.
Hema coffee millers has consistently accused the county’s agriculture ministry over what they termed as sabotage and fear of competition.
Ken Kobira, an administrator at Hema Coffee Millers told this writer that in some instances, the county officials hijack coffee that is meant for Hema as it is being transported by lorries. The hijacked coffee is allegedly diverted to Kisii Coffee Millers Centre.
“It is unfair for the county to continue with this kind of mentality. It is undermining other investors who are also out to open up businesses and create employment,” said Kobira.
He added that coffee farmers have gone through so much and to limit them to one miller is a forgone tradition.
Kisii County deputy governor Joash Maangi has stated that private investors have the right to offer diverse business opportunities for the county to gain.
“If there is that kind of incidents, the county officials will look into it” he said.
Coffee was one of the cash crops in Kisii but the product has been diminishing due to corrupt management deals like selling farmers properties from coffee societies which made most farmers embark on alternative farming.