Makueni County Assembly Rejects Mango Report, Orders Forensic Inquiry into Fruit Processing Plant

The Makueni County Assembly has taken a firm stand in defense of mango farmers by declining to adopt the report of the Committee on Agriculture regarding the purchase of mangoes by the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant (MFPP).

During a heated afternoon Plenary Sitting, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) expressed dissatisfaction with the report’s contents, noting that it failed to reflect the true, harrowing position of farmers on the ground who continue to struggle with poor fruit uptake and market access.

While the report was tabled by the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Francis Munyao Mutuku, and a procedural motion was moved by the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kisungi Wa Katete, to fast-track its consideration, the House ultimately found the findings insufficient to address the deep-rooted challenges facing the value-addition sector.

Members argued that the report did not go deep enough into the operational and procurement failures that have left many farmers across the county without a reliable outlet for their produce.

In a decisive move to safeguard the livelihoods of our farmers, the Hon. Speaker, Douglas Mbilu David, has officially referred the matter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investments Committee (PIC). These oversight committees have been directed to launch a fresh, forensic inquiry, which will include examining witnesses under oath to get to the bottom of the management and procurement issues at the MFPP.

The rejected Agriculture Committee report will now serve only as a baseline for this intensive investigation. The Speaker has further directed the Agriculture Committee leadership to cooperate fully and facilitate the PAC and PIC in their work. A comprehensive report that truly captures the plight of the Makueni farmer is expected to be laid before the House on or before Monday, 16th February 2026, for debate and adoption.

The Makueni County Assembly remains committed to ensuring transparency and ensuring that the Fruit Processing Plant serves its primary purpose: putting money back into the pockets of our hardworking mango farmers.