Coffee farmers demand prosecution of suspects accused of embezzling funds

Farmers of Thiriku Coffee Growers Co-operative Society in Nyeri County are calling for the prosecution of suspects accused of embezzling Ksh 1.6 million.  

The farmers say operations at the society risked being crippled if the looted cash is not recovered.

Led by the society management committee chair Cyrus Karoki Waiganjo, the farmers accused the former Treasurer and secretary of working to defraud the society.

“When we drew cheques, the two would alter the figure and increase the amount between here (Society) and a local bank in Nyeri town,” Waiganjo claimed.

The chairman also accused the bank of being an accomplice in the fraud adding that cashiers were trained employees who could easily detect the fraud.

An audit conducted by the society’s auditor Mariara Kigotho revealed that the money was actually misappropriated.

The reports area said to have been forwarded to the relevant government agencies and the office of the Nyeri Governor Mutahi kahiga for appropriate action.

The farmers even alleging that the accused person had at one point owned up to their misdeeds only top renege.

The farmers added that the alleged offense was committed on the 2016/17 crop season and one year down the line, the suspects are still free.

They are now appealing to the Office of Public Prosecutions to ensure the suspects are made to pay for the lost money.