CS Oparanya Sacks Whole Staff, Orders EACC And DCI To Investigate
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya dismissed the entire management team of Kangunu Cooperative Society in Murang’a County on Thursday, citing gross misconduct.
Speaking in Mathioya while meeting with farmers who had requested his intervention, Oparanya stated that the order would take effect immediately.
The CS also warned the fired employees not to enter the premises in any managerial capacity.
As part of the government's ongoing efforts to support farmers nationwide, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs is working diligently to streamline services and provide the necessary assistance to boost their productivity and success.
— Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH (@DrOparanya) September 19, 2024
I visited Kangunu Coffee Cooperative… pic.twitter.com/YmAd9QbSXL
“Starting today, the management committee of Kangunu Cooperative Society should step aside and keep off from any business relating to the cooperative,” he said
Oparanya stated that the decision was informed by the society’s poor management, unjust expulsion, harassment, and illegal deduction of member payments over the last seven years.
Consequently, Oparanya stated that investigations into the Commissioner of Cooperatives’ misconduct would begin immediately.
He also urged him to hold a new election in 14 days to shake up the leadership and encouraged coffee farmers to attend and have their voices heard.
In a significant move to support and protect the interests of farmers, the government, through the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, has initiated concrete steps to address the challenges faced by cooperative societies.
— Gideon Kitheka Snr (@Gideon_Kitheka) September 19, 2024
Following a visit by CS Oparanya to the Kangunu Coffee… pic.twitter.com/fNZ7p9R6vl
In the meantime, Oparanya stated that Stephen Wambugu, Head of Cooperatives, will take over leadership and will be assisted by the county’s security team.
For years, the society had been rocked by protests over poor financial management.
The discontent finally erupted last week at a planned Annual General Meeting (AGM), when members discovered the premises occupied by police officers and unknown people posing as farmers.
Farmers who had been expelled from the society were also reinstated and instructed to begin harvesting and selling coffee to the factory right away.
Aside from the leadership changes, Oparanya criticized the mandatory 5% deductions from farmers’ earnings, calling them theft because the funds were not properly accounted for.
The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Cooperatives and MSMEs, Wycliffe Oparanya has fired the entire management team of Kangunu Cooperative Society in Mathioya Sub County, Murang’a County citing gross misconduct.https://t.co/Nuc2E0Pqom @SpokespersonGoK pic.twitter.com/gV1UFrNmQ1
— Kenya News Agency – Department of Information (@KenyaNewsAgency) September 20, 2024
Noting that the situation at Kangunu was a widespread problem in Kenya, Oparanya urged the EACC and DCI to intervene, arrest, and prosecute anyone found guilty of misappropriating funds in the coffee industry.
“I call upon the investigating bodies and the DCI to arrest any individual who will be a suspect of the misappropriation of the coffee farmers’ resources,” he added
Oparanya assured the coffee farmers that if the Cooperative Bill is passed, it will include measures to help reduce election fraud and establish a single management committee that will lead for an extended period.
CS Oparanya Sacks Whole Staff, Orders EACC And DCI To Investigate
