Leaders in Maragua Constituency have raised concern over increased cases of theft of farm produce in the area even as they beseeched residents to desist from trespassing or stealing pineapples from the expansive Delmonte Farm.
Speaking in Kimorori ward during an empowerment forum on Wednesday, Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina, Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Wamaua and the Deputy County Commissioner, Gitonga Murungi, warned that the continued theft of farm produce is undermining economic growth in the sub county.
The theft also strains community relations as well as escalates tension between the community and the Delmonte farm whose close proximity to the surrounding villages makes it increasingly vulnerable to trespassers. "We are seeing increased cases of people harvesting what they did not sow, and this is not only illegal but also unfair to hardworking farmers in the area who are trying hard to fill the country's food basket," said Maina, adding, "I urge you to stop trespassing on the Del Monte farm; let us work hard to earn the daily bread instead of exposing yourself to harm by stealing pineapples from the farm." She also called on Delmonte to work closely with local administrators to address the problem by ensuring their security team handles suspects and trespassers lawfully. "If someone is caught stealing pineapples, let them be handed over to the police to face the criminal justice system.
We will not tolerate unlawful assault in the name of protecting property," she warned.
