Belgut MP Nelson Koech has warned the youth against exploiting the push for de-mechanisation of tea plucking by multinationals to invade farms and cause havoc.
He said the invasion and destruction to property at several farms in Kericho and Bomet counties two weeks ago was wrong and unacceptable.
The MP vowed that he and fellow elected leaders in the region would continue condemning the attacks and vouch for dialogue.
Koech said the push against mechanisation of labour in the tea estates was valid because of the state of joblessness in Kenya.
Speaking after recording a statement at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nakuru offices, Koech said the unemployment necessitated the push to have youths absorbed in the tea estates.
The legislator was grilled regarding arson and related crimes at the tea estates in Bomet and Kericho counties after numerous attacks and massive destruction of crops and equipment by locals who are opposed to mechanisation of tea plucking.
Other leaders who have recorded statements over the same issue include Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, several members of Kericho and Bomet County Assemblies, residents and WhatsApp group administrators in the region.
"I will continue advancing the idea of allowing people to take up most of the labour opportunities at the tea estates,” Koech said.
He was accompanied by his lawyer, Bomet Senator Hilary Sigei.
The lawmaker urged the multinationals to consider de-escalating mechanisation at least for a short while as the leaders find a solution to unemployment.
He said the massive destruction was due to existing threats between residents living close to the tea estates because of political statements.
Koech condemned leaders who claimed that they owned part of the tea estates and asked them to desist from inciting locals especially the youth.
He petitioned the elders to let elected leaders from the two counties to engage with the multinationals and get better arrangements where the locals can be offered opportunities to serve in the tea estates.
Koech echoed sentiments by a number of his colleagues and called for peace and stoppage of public statements on the matter to allow detectives conclude investigations into the case.
"I was also asked to preach peace between residents and the multinationals," Koech said.
