Embu County will from early next year start selling its entire coffee production directly to roasters abroad, avoiding the national coffee auction.
Governor Martin Wambora said the county will be commissioning its own coffee mill in January or early February after which they will be selling the county’s entire coffee bean production direct to buyers with the hope of earning farmers more.
The move is meant to avoid the coffee auction that has in the past been said to be in the grip of cartels who fix prices to exploit farmers.
Wambora was speaking at the Runyenje’s Stadium during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations.
The Governor also disclosed plans to start a school milk program that will stimulate demand for the commodity adding that a milk processing plant at Ugweri will also be completed in the course of next year.
Addressing the same rally, County Commissioner, Esther Maina, urged residents to observe the law during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities saying security officers will be at hand to ensure the law is followed to the letter.
She thanked a Runyenjes Court that this week jailed a couple and another woman for seven years each after they were found to have conspired to circumcise a girl and urged other courts to continue meting out such harsh sentences to deter the vice.
She added that the ban on gambling machines was still in force and instructed administration officials to be vigilant to prevent their return.
By Steve Gatheru
