Drumvale Farmers Appeal To Ruto As Former Liquidator Defies Court Orders Over KSh700 Million Assets.

By Andrew Mbuva 

Members of Kamulu Drumvale Farmers Cooperative Society have appealed to President William Ruto to intervene in a long-running dispute with a former government-appointed liquidator, whom they accuse of defying court orders and withholding the society’s vital documents and assets.

Speaking on behalf of the members, the society’s current Chairman, Felix Maingi Ngui, said the former liquidator has pushed the farmers to the brink by refusing to return ownership documents, alleging—without proof—that the society’s management broke into the farm and stole documents and assets.

Maingi told journalists that the matter was previously presented before the National Assembly’s Lands Committee, where he was asked whether he had reported any break-ins. 

He explained that the information had only been relayed to him, a response that prompted the committee to direct the former liquidator to return all assets and documents belonging to the society. However, he said the directive has never been complied with.

The Chairman noted that several court orders have also been issued barring the former liquidator from conducting any transactions or selling society property, and compelling him to account for all assets. Despite this, Maingi said the orders have been ignored, even after an appeal by the liquidator was dismissed by the courts.

“Our members are suffering. Many are elderly, sickly, and others have already passed on without enjoying the fruits of their lifelong investment,” Maingi said, adding that assets sold from the society are estimated to be worth more than KSh700 million. He further alleged that the former liquidator is now seeking appointment as Commissioner of Cooperatives, a move he termed deeply troubling.

Long-serving member Mathew Mutua Wambua, who has been part of Drumvale since its inception, said the society once owned extensive assets, including livestock and multiple farms. He recalled that members used to receive annual dividends generated from the sale of milk, cows, goats, sheep, and poultry.

“For many years now, we have received nothing,” Wambua said. “Yet this farm was productive and self-sustaining. We are appealing to the government to help us reclaim what belongs to us.”

Another member, Jane Nduku, echoed the concerns, saying the cooperative was founded by their fathers, who contributed livestock in exchange for shares. She said it has been over 20 years since members last received dividends, and today there is little to show for the once-thriving enterprise.

“There were cows, goats, sheep, and other assets. Now everything is gone,” she lamented. “We are asking the government to intervene and save us.”

Kamulu Drumvale Farmers Cooperative Society was established in 1963 with the primary objective of farming. Challenges began in the 1990s, and by 2009, the society’s operations had declined significantly. Members wrote to the Commissioner of Cooperatives, prompting the deployment of an auditor. A month later, farmers discovered that the society had been placed under liquidation and taken over by the government.

The members challenged the decision in court, arguing that liquidation implies the existence of unpaid debts, which they said was not the case. During the tenure of former Cooperative Development Minister Peter Munya, the liquidation was lifted, a decision that was subsequently published in the Kenya Gazette.

Court orders later directed the former liquidator to cease all transactions, stop the sale of property, and provide a full account of the society’s assets. His appeal against the ruling was dismissed.

Kamulu Drumvale Farmers Cooperative Society has a total membership of 1,472 registered members, who are now urging President Ruto to personally intervene and bring closure to a dispute they say has denied them justice for decades.