During the launch of the Githunguri Avocado Growers Society on Friday, September 12, 2025, a heated exchange erupted between Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Cabinet Secretary for Co-operative and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Wycliffe Oparanya.
The event, hosted by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and attended by several Kenya Moja legislators, quickly turned into a platform for political debate over farmers’ welfare.
The tension began after Oparanya suggested that payments to farmers should be channeled through M-Pesa to increase efficiency and transparency.
Sifuna strongly opposed this idea, arguing that it was disrespectful to farmers who toil daily to support Kenya’s agricultural economy.
He questioned why government leaders were more focused on dictating how farmers receive their money rather than addressing systemic challenges such as delayed payments, poor infrastructure, and the lack of subsidies.
Sifuna directly asked Oparanya whether his own salary as a Cabinet Secretary was paid via M-Pesa, a question that sparked cheers from the audience.
His statement was seen as defending farmers’ dignity and exposing perceived double standards in government practices. “If Oparanya wants farmers to be paid through M-Pesa, let him first accept his ministerial salary the same way,” Sifuna declared, receiving strong applause from attendees who supported his stance.
The confrontation highlighted the broader debate on how agricultural reforms are implemented in Kenya. While Oparanya has been promoting digital solutions to make payments easier, critics argue that such measures fail to tackle deeper issues affecting farmers.
Sifuna’s remarks reflected growing frustration among politicians and citizens who believe that farmers’ real challenges, including delayed payments and limited access to resources, are often ignored in favor of technological solutions that may not benefit the majority.
The event set the stage for continued discussion on the treatment of farmers and the need for practical solutions that respect their work while improving efficiency in the sector. Many saw Sifuna’s intervention as a call for leaders to understand the realities of agriculture before imposing policies that may burden those who sustain the country’s food supply.
The debate over M-Pesa payments versus direct government support is likely to continue as stakeholders push for reforms that genuinely address farmers’ needs.
