Meru County scored another first in the country after Governor Kiraitu Murungi launched a programme that will see coffee farmers receive payment for their produce within a month after delivery. The Governor who is passionate about the revival of coffee farming and improved earnings to farmers hosted the Cooperative Bank Group MD and CEO, Dr Gideon Muriuki whose institution has partnered with the County Government to facilitate the project. The bank has already set aside Ksh.200 million to pay for coffee deliveries made last month and farmers are due to receive an advance of Ksh.20 per kilo of cherry by mid this month in the payment model that mirrors the Ethiopian cash model. "We shall make more money available depending on the quantity of the deliveries. May I request coffee farmers in Meru to honour their part of the obligation so that this cash model does not die," said Dr Muriuki. Speaking during the launch attended by representatives, including Chairmen, Society Managers and farmers from all Coffee Cooperative Societies in Meru County, Governor Kiraitu noted that he had a lot of faith in the Cooperative movement and that his administration would protect it. "As County Government, we shall do our best to strengthen coffee cooperative societies in Meru. I believe in the Cooperative movement," said the Governor. The Coop Bank boss paid accolades to Governor Kiraitu for fighting hard during the Kibaki era to have the Ksh.5.7 billion coffee debts waived when he was Minister for Constitutional Affairs, out of which farmers in Meru had their Ksh.1.7 billion waived. Representatives from the Meru North Union, Meru Central Union, Meru Coffee Miller's, Capital Sacco, Yetu Sacco, Thabiti Sacco and other coffee stakeholders attended the event.