The county government of Nyamira has been blamed for delays in revamping of the pyrethrum sector in the region that collapsed over a decade ago.
County governor John Nyagarama had urged Nyamira residents earlier this year to revive the sector and promised to hold talks with Pyrethrum Board of Kenya to set strategies of revamping the sector by establishing offices, something that is yet to take place.
Speaker after speaker on Monday at Nyabuya village during a burial ceremony blamed the county leadership for the delay.
“As pyrethrum farmers we are shocked that we haven’t been told where to sell our produce since we reverted to the farming following persuasion by the county government. The Gesima offices remains closed and that means our problems persist,” said Mary Mwancha.
Former Gesima councilor Julius Nyachieo faulted the county government for ‘laxity’ and challenged MCAs to table a bill that will see county leadership compelled to support the sector.
“Many farmers are evidently reverting to pyrethrum farming for well-known reasons. The sector used to pay well before some fellows contributed to its collapse by engaging in mega corruption. My request is that MCAs chip in and do their work. Ministry of agriculture in the county is sleeping on its job,” he said.
They said many farmers would be forced to travel long distances to the neighbouring Kisii County to sell their produce hence leading to massive costs.
“It will not be profitable if you expect people to travel long distances as far as Kisii to sell the produce. The county government should take responsibility and have speedy revamping of the sector,” Nyachieo added.