This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
On August 26, 2020, a dispute erupted in Meru between coffee farmers and officials of the Uruku Coffee Society over where to deliver parchment for milling.
The controversy was sparked by the society's officials taking part of a consignment to the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) mill at Chaaria, Central Imenti, despite the farmers' demands to deliver it to the Meru Coffee Millers Union.
According to Mr. Francis Kiambi, the Uruku Coffee Society chairman, the society had not signed a milling agreement with KPCU, and therefore, they could not take their coffee to the facility without proper documentation.
However, David Muthomi, chairman of Kiangurwe Coffee Factory, accused KPCU officials of not revealing the contents of an agreement signed with societies.
Julius Kimathi, a senior adviser at the Agriculture ministry, defended KPCU, stating that none was forced to sign an agreement and that whoever claims they don't know the contents of the agreements is being dishonest.
