Chaos disrupt farmers' meeting in Mathioya

Chaos erupted at the troubled Kangunu Farmers Cooperative Society in Mathioya as police engaged farmers in running battles after a failed general meeting.

In the melee, several farmers were injured as police officers hurled teargas canisters to disperse them.

This is after they had barricaded the factory to stop the collection of coffee and milk from the members.

Trouble started after the farmers learned they were allegedly short-changed, instead allowing strangers to attend their meeting to deliberate on coffee payment rates and unauthorized deductions of 4.7 percent from their payment.

The running battles started as the coffee farmers questioned the legality of the meeting citing the presence of strangers who were allegedly ferried in 10 PSVs' and a lorry inside the factory at 5 am.

In the incident, several farmers were injured as melee emerged as Mary Wambui Mwangi recounted how the farmers suffered after they inhaled the teargas.

At the society, some of the farmers had been blacklisted for championing the farmers' rights after they demanded to know why they were forced to contribute towards an unknown outfit.

"The society leadership in the past six years has been frustrating the farmers, as in the meeting hooligans were transported from Chui village, with the full knowledge of the cooperative officer and the police, in efforts to intimidate the farmers," said a farmer.

Another farmer, Wangui Kimaru said it was shameful that the management committee has ignored the rights of the growers.

"The society is controlled by a crique of six persons who forced farmers are forced to contribute to an illegal outfit that we need investigated and refund of our money amounting to millions of shillings," she said Wambui.

A farmer John Chege claimed the strangers were paid Sh1,000, and after the meeting, they were transported back home.

"If the government is aware of the farmers' suffering why did it allow the presence of hooligans and who were accorded heavy security as the media was blocked from getting access to the meeting," said the farmer.

After 35 minutes, Chege said the farmers were astonished after they heard clapping from inside the factory.

Outside the gate, more drama's happened as a young lady spit at an old woman citing that in the previous meeting, she spoke ill on the management committee.

Attempts to get a comment from the management was futile.