North Rift farmers laud Oparanya's nomination to Cooperatives ministry

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. [File, Standard]

North Rift agriculture stakeholders have welcomed President William Ruto’s new Cabinet lineup in the broad-based government.

A section of farmer’s representatives said the new team reflects the face of Kenya and expressed optimism that President Ruto made the right choice to nominate former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Opranya as the Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary.

“We are happy with the nomination of former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Opranya to the Cooperatives, Micro Small, and Medium Enterprise docket. We are confident that farmers cooperative societies that had stagnated, will be rejuvenated,” said Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Director Kipkorir Menjo.

Mr Menjo and the Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation (KDFF) national chairman Stanley Ng’ombe said they trust Oparanya’s track record owing to his tenure as Planning Cabinet Minister and Kakamega governor.

“If his nomination is approved by Parliament, issues bedevilling the dairy industry will be addressed. We are confident that loopholes that had led to the rundown of farmer’s cooperative societies will be sealed and management strengthened,” said the KFA director.

He urged the President to give Cabinet Secretaries freehand to perform their mandate to enhance service delivery.

“Those nominated to the various dockets are capable. They should be allowed to achieve desired results and advise the president regarding their departments. They should not be dictated to,” said Menjo.

Ng’ombe described Oparanya as a straightforward public servant who will deliver quality service once appointed.

“Many cooperative societies are struggling due to mismanagement and we hope they will be strengthened if Oparanya is appointed," he said.

The farmer’s representatives also said subsidies including fertiliser ought to be distributed through cooperative societies to curb malpractices.

Kesses MP Julius Rutto also lauded President Ruto’s Cabinet nominees saying they reflect a national outlook.

“Professionals were named into the new broad Cabinet. This is what Kenyans were yearning for and the president listened to citizens,” said Rutto.

The legislator said for the first time since independence, the Treasury Ministry went to Nyanza and was confident there will be transparency in the distribution of national resources.