Koskei vows to address pyrethrum woes

By VINCENT MABATUK

Nakuru County: Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei has promised to act on a taskforce report on the mismanagement of the pyrethrum sector to restore farmers’ confidence.

While addressing workers at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK) headquarters in Nakuru, Mr Koskei said he had analysed the report that recommended the top management to be replaced.

However, the board Managing Director Dr Isaac Mulagoli has scoffed at the taskforce findings, saying the county government cannot probe a national institution.

The 21-man taskforce was appointed by Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in April to find ways on how the 18 pyrethrum growing counties could be assisted to revive the sector.

Unpaid bills

Meanwhile, operations at the former Kenya Pyrethrum factory have been paralysed for the last three weeks over unpaid electricity bills.

The power company took the action after the board failed to clear an outstanding bill amounting to Sh1.4 million.

However, Mulagoli said he reads politics in the disconnection, explaining that he could not understand why Kenya Power refused to accept a Sh700,000 cheque as they look into clearing the balance.

“The revival of the sector has been politicised and unless this is taken seriously, the pyrethrum industry will collapse,” warned the MD.

He also said 216 employees still working with the board were yet to receive their June and July salaries.