Coffee Board to revoke illegal dealers’ licences

Firms dealing in coffee illegally have been put on notice by the Coffee Board of Kenya and risk having their licences revoked.

The board is this month carrying out annual audit of licences for all players in the industry.

A similar examination last year saw three firms; a miller, a dealer and a marketer lose licences for illegal dealing.

This year’s appraisal has already singled out some players who may see the axe fall on their operations due to involvement in illegal coffee dealings.

“We have a board meeting this week to discuss the issue,” said the board’s managing director Ms Loise Njeru.

The board’s move has been prompted by dramatically increased theft and illegal dealing of coffee, fueled by the high prices the commodity is fetching internationally.

“It is escalating now because the prices of coffee are currently very good,” noted Ms Njeru.

The attractive prices have been caused by a supply glut in the international coffee market.

According to Ms Njeru, licensed players in the industry may be participating in the vice due to their knowledge of the market.

Theft of coffee has also escalated in the recent past, with several factories in Murang’a, Machakos, Kiambu and South Nyanza losing tons of coffee through theft and in some cases through violent robbery.

Containers on transit have also been hijacked along the Nairobi-Nakuru and Nairobi-Mombasa highways.

The MD however noted that the board has no jurisdiction to act on coffee theft since it is a criminal offence punishable by law.

“Coffee theft is similar to any other theft and the board shouldn’t be blamed for it. It is a crime which involves the police,” she said.

Ms Njeru however added that the board is working closely with police, judiciary and the ministry of agriculture to address the issue.

The board can only act to de-license or impose other penalties provided for by the law on players found illegally dealing in coffee.

From: businessdailyafrica.com