Arise Media 
BY RITA MUTHONI
Muguka farmers in Embu County have issued a stern warning to cartels manipulating muguka prices, stating they will no longer tolerate such interference.
Led by Alvin Ruku, a member of Muguka traders in Embu, the farmers have accused these cartels of destabilizing muguka prices over the past few weeks, resulting in significant financial losses for local farmers despite higher prices in coastal regions.
Addressing the press after a closed-door meeting in Embu town, Ruku emphasized their determination to use all available resources to ensure smooth sales of muguka across the country.
“Recently, we have observed rapid fluctuations in muguka prices. Some farmers have been earning less than Sh100 per kilo while prices in coastal regions remain above Sh500. We have identified a few cartels responsible for setting these prices, and we will take action against them,” Ruku stated.
Ruku criticized the cartels for unfairly profiting at the expense of farmers who bear high input costs.
“We are preparing our farmers in Embu County to harvest and sell in shifts to verify if there is indeed an oversupply, as the cartels claim,” he added.
Farmers also expressed frustration that court orders lifting the ban imposed by coastal counties have not been honored, making it difficult to sell their muguka.
Gibson Kariuki Njeru, the farmers’ chairman, urged all stakeholders in the muguka industry to mobilize resources to hire more lawyers and address the sector’s issues in court.
“The struggle for Embu farmers to access muguka markets in some coastal regions persists, even after the court lifted the ban. We need to pool our resources to hire more lawyers and support the county government in this fight,” Njeru said.
Ruth John, another farmer, noted that counties continue to impose exorbitant levies, hindering effective transactions.
The farmers praised the Embu County government for hiring lawyers to defend their crop following the bans issued by coastal counties.
Send us your story via
news@arisemediagroup.co.ke or WhatsApp 0750456085
Book Advert-use above contacts
197
