• Led by former KTDA chairperson Peter Kanyago the former directors invaded the agency’s offices in Nairobi and some tea factories in tea farming counties.
• The former directors were however chased out of KTDA offices as the agency released a statement saying the petitions, which were active in court are yet to be determined.
Image: ALICE WAITHERA
@Alicewangechi
Tension is simmering in the tea sector after former tea directors stormed KTDA offices on Monday.
The directors were voted out of their positions last year.
Led by former KTDA chairperson Peter Kanyago they invaded the agency’s offices in Nairobi and some tea factories in tea farming counties.
This in turn paralysed operations of the agency in its offices, factories and tea buying centres.
The former directors claimed they were acting on a court order which members of the current board claimed was not presented.
They accused the current directors of being illegally elected into office, terming them as 'mlolongo' directors.
Previously, farmers would cast their votes according to their shares that were determined by the number of tea bushes. However, this was deemed unfair to small scale farmers.
But with the reforms introduced by Agriculture CS Peter Munya since 2020, the voting system was changed and each farmer given an equal vote.
The former directors were however chased out of KTDA offices as the agency released a statement saying the petitions, which were active in court are yet to be determined.
The statement was published in the agency’s social media platforms and prepared by its corporate communications department.
“There are several legal matters, which have been raised regarding the Tea Act 2021 and the contentious removal of the board by Kanyago,” it read.
Image: ALICE WAITHERA
According to the statement, the matters have not been determined and the current board led by chairperson David Ichoho is in charge of the agency’s business affairs until all matters in court are determined.
The same applies to the current factory boards for the 54 factory companies, it further read.
“In recognition of the rule of law, we request the former board to cease interfering with the running of the factories, KTDA subsidiary companies and KTDA head office as this will interfere with the smooth running of tea farmers’ business,” it read.
Ichoho termed the former directors as persona non grata in all KTDA facilities adding that their ‘political’ moves will be resisted by farmers.
He assured farmers that the management team and the current board is committed to making the tea sector that supports more than 10 million Kenyans, profitable.
The chairperson urged them to continue plucking their tea as factories are fully operational.
“All political intrigues that are going to destroy the sector, which has seen tremendous gains will not be condoned,” he said.
Majority of the former directors were against the implementation of the Tea Act 2021, which was championed by Munya on a reform platform.
But a group of directors from Murang’a county led by Kiru tea factory chairperson Chege Kirundi warned the former directors to stay off the sector and desist from playing politics with farmers’ investment.
The directors said their predecessors’ actions were uncalled for and that their attempt to incite farmers would not work.
“Farmers have greatly benefited from the government’s reforms that the former directors opposed. They will not be allowed in any of our 10 factories in the county,” they said.
Another director Ngaii Kariri said since they took office last year, they have taken steps that have further benefited farmers such as the payment of mini bonus.
Kariri said farmers have the right to pick their representatives and that the former directors were rejected and should keep off.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)