Marima: Dairy farmers in Maara Sub-county are seeking government intervention to revive the collapsed Wega Milk Cooperative Society after years of legal battles, leadership wrangles, and mounting debts estimated at more than Sh83 million. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Deputy County Commissioner’s grounds in Marima, farmers, clergy, youth leaders, and Njuri Ncheke elders appealed to Maara Member of Parliament Kareke Mbiuki to help secure Sh280 million from the National Government to restore operations at the once-thriving milk processing plant.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Cooperative, which was established to support dairy farmers in the region, ceased operations in 2024 after financial challenges linked to a court case filed by Brookside Dairy over breach of contract. Interim committee chairman Paul Ngai highlighted that the problems began after the management allegedly created divisions among farmers through irregular milk measurements, theft of milk cans, and tampering with milk quality. Ngai stated that these disputes weakened the leadership, prompting farmers to form private milk collection centers and shift to other processors such as Brookside and Daima.
Ngai further explained that the Cooperative later signed a contract with Muthiru Cooperative Society, which led to Brookside suing the society for breach of contract after milk deliveries stopped. Brookside won the case, and the Cooperative now owes the company about Sh50 million. The interim committee accused the former management of failing to address the crisis, leading to declining milk production and the eventual collapse of the processing plant.
Interim committee secretary Mary Muthoni noted that the society had more than 8,000 active members and collected over 22,000 liters of milk daily at its peak before operations deteriorated. She mentioned that key equipment, including milk coolers, generators, and milk tankers, had become dysfunctional, crippling operations. Muthoni expressed hope that the National Government would support the revival so that the factory becomes operational again.
MP Mbiuki called for a comprehensive external audit report before any government funding can be processed. He emphasized the need for a clear audit report explaining how the debt accumulated, with everything verifiable before presenting it to the government. Mbiuki stated that the audit would help establish accountability and determine whether there was any misappropriation of funds by former officials.
The legislator pledged to lobby the National Government to support the revival plan despite the financial year budget process nearing completion in Parliament. Mbiuki expressed that reviving the cooperative would strengthen the region’s economy by enabling farmers to independently process and market milk products instead of relying on external processors. He also noted that value addition through products such as yoghurt, butter, and ghee would create employment opportunities for youth and help reduce crime in the area.
