By D, KNA
Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner (CC) David Gitonga has launched a major crackdown on the rising cases of coffee theft across the county, warning that those found culpable, will face full force of the law.
Speaking during a strategic security and stakeholder meeting in Chuka, Gitonga said they had come into a consensus that buying coffee directly from farms remains illegal.
“Anyone found engaging in any form malpractice regarding coffee trade, whether stealing, brokerage or unauthorized buying of the commodity will be treated as part of the wider criminal gang in the sector,” he said.
The CC emphasized the urgent need to modernize farm security, calling for the installation of CCTV cameras in coffee factories, stores and transit points.
Such technology, he added, is essential for monitoring activities and supporting investigations when theft occurs.
“We must adopt modern tools like CCTV to deter criminals and track movements around coffee facilities,” he said.
Additionally, Gitonga urged cooperative societies to prioritize employment of local youth as security personnel, noting their strength, agility and capacity to respond effectively to threats.
“Young people have the requisite energy needed to respond quickly in case of an incident, thus, involving them strengthens security and helps in addressing unemployment at the same time,” said Gitonga.
Moreover, the CC condemned the existence of unscrupulous brokers, who he accused of driving the illegal coffee market.
He called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals, or dubious transactions to the relevant authorities for necessary action.
“These brokers are at the heart of the problem. We are asking all residents to report any suspicious activity immediately, so that we can take swift action,” he said.
Gitonga urged farmers’ groups not to rely solely on coffee as their main source of income, encouraging diversification into other profitable sectors such as macadamia farming, dairy production and horticulture.
“We must empower our farmers by encouraging them to explore other viable agricultural ventures. Coffee is important, but it should not be the only pillar of our local economy,” said Gitonga.
Me awhile, to ensure effective protection of coffee during harvesting, the CC directed that all coffee-related activities from picking to transport, be reported in advance to the area chiefs and the respective Officers Commanding police Stations (OCS) to enable security teams to provide timely and adequate protection.