Say delay has left them struggling to pay fees, finance planting season

by ALICE WAITHERA

Rice farmers in Kirinyaga have appealed to the government to release Sh210 million owed to them for produce supplied to the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC).

The farmers said the delayed payment has left them struggling to pay school fees and finance the current planting season.

Through the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society (MRGM), they said the government had promised to settle the payment by July 31 after KNTC bought more than 1,800 tonnes of milled white rice from the society.

MRGM chief executive officer Antony Waweru said the society had fulfilled its part of the agreement within the three-week deadline despite being forced to operate its mill at night and on Sundays to meet the order.

“We delivered the total order, valued at Sh210 million, which was supposed to be paid by July 31 as agreed. Since then, we have waited, but the promise is only that we are going to be paid,” Waweru said.

He said the delayed payment had created a cash flow crisis for both the society and farmers. Banks have been unable to clear some cheques issued to farmers because the cooperative has not received the money from KNTC.

Waweru appealed to the government to provide KNTC with funds to enable the corporation to settle the outstanding amount, saying farmers needed the money to pay school fees and finance crops already in the fields.

MRGM chairperson Ndege Muriuki said the society had struggled to find a market for its rice after farmers harvested their crop, prompting it to seek government intervention.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and KNTC later agreed to purchase 1,824 tonnes of white rice, equivalent to about 25,200 bags of paddy. The society was given three weeks to complete the delivery.

“We are asking the government to use every means available to facilitate payment so that we can pay farmers. We have many farmers with pressing needs, including taking their children back to school and preparing for the next season,” he said.

Muriuki said farmers had traditionally expected to receive their payments around May or June, but the prolonged marketing crisis had forced some to borrow from shylocks to meet household and farming expenses.

He said some elderly farmers had been visiting the society’s offices daily seeking payment, while the cooperative was under pressure from farmers and suppliers waiting for their dues.

The payment delay comes as farmers prepare to finance crops already transplanted in their fields, including the purchase of fertiliser and other farm inputs.

Francis Ndung’u, a rice farmer, said he had visited the society expecting either money or a cheque to enable him to pay school fees but was informed that funds had not been released.

“We cannot even weed our farms or buy fertiliser. We also owe the National Irrigation Authority for water services, and they are demanding payment,” Ndung’u said.

He said farmers were under pressure from creditors and household expenses and urged the national government to speed up the release of the money.

Another farmer, Antony Mbote, said the cooperative had previously helped farmers find a market for their rice before paying them, but the current delay had left families struggling to meet education expenses.

“After we harvest rice, we bring it to the society, which looks for a market and pays us. But now we have not been paid, yet our children need money to return to school and others are joining colleges,” Mbote said.

Published Date: August 27, 2026