Coffee co-operative society officials in the Ukambani region have been put on notice over alleged misuse and poor handling of farmers’ earnings.

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, speaking on Thursday, June 12, 2025, raised concern over the increasing number of societies reportedly plunging into serious debt due to financial mismanagement.

He described the trend as alarming, citing growing cases of co-operatives taking on unsustainable loans.

Speaking to coffee farmers in Tala town, Machakos County, CS Oparanya condemned corruption and mismanagement in local coffee societies, blaming rogue officials for pushing farmers deeper into poverty.

He warned that legal action would be taken against cooperative committees found to have misappropriated funds or run the societies into debt.

Oparanya pointed to recent protests by farmers in other counties as a sign of growing frustration with financial misconduct in co-ops.

He said some management committees were secretly securing loans without consulting members, a practice he claimed has led to reduced coffee yields and mounting debt.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, present at the forum, appealed to the CS to consider writing off debts owed by coffee cooperatives in the county to help revive the sector.

DG Mwangangi urged the national government to grant a debt waiver to Machakos coffee farmers, saying it would give them a fresh start.

He argued that the amount owed is minimal compared to waivers already extended to sugar and tea farmers in other regions.

“I’m appealing to the national government to treat our coffee farmers fairly, just like those in other sectors,” he said.

Mwangangi noted that key coffee-producing areas such as Machakos, Kangundo, Kwa Matingi, and Kathiani Sub-counties continue to make significant contributions to the sector despite facing financial strain.

Peter Kamau, a local resident, noted that the centre once played a vital role in preserving the community’s cultural heritage.

He expressed concern that without urgent intervention, future generations may be deprived of a place to learn about their roots.

“Students used to visit to learn about the origins and traditions of the Kikuyu community, but those days are now behind us,” he lamented.