Tea farmers accuses National Government for meddling with factories and it’s directors hence affecting tea prices
They have now unanimously damanded President William Ruto do fire Agriculture PS Dr Paul Ronoh for orchestrating the interference
Agriculture Principle Secretary Dr Paul Ronoh has yet again found himself in another twist of accusations by Kenya Tea Development Agency over interference of farmer’s affairs without consultation
In a meeting held on Thursday 16th January in Nairobi’s Panafric Hotel, by tea farmers mainly from central region, they all unanimously accused Ronoh for wide range of issues which are aimed at destabilizing the sector for reasons best known to him
The stakeholders termed the removal of reserve price by the Ministry of Agriculture without consultation with KTDA directors led to plummeting of tea prices at the Mombasa Tea Auction
“Making pronouncements by Agriculture PS on separation of satellite factories from mother factories without considering the property interests of farmers and calling impromptu meetings with with factory directors of which the cost is borne by farmers,” These are some of the accusation levelled against the PS Dr Paul Ronoh
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While reading joint press statement after holding consultative meeting Gatundu South Legislator Gabriel Kangombe blasted Mr Ronoh for meddling with their affairs of tea farmers mainly from central region hence demanding President William Ruto to crack the whip
“We want to call President if he has interests with the Kenyan tea farmers, sack these Agriculture PS Mr Kimtai for he’s shown vested interests in destabilizing our economic cash crop instead of collaborating with the stakeholders,” Gabriel Kangombe charged
Kangombe noted that several tea factories have experienced loe absorption of teas in the market due to wrangles and political interference.
“We have noted that whenever thereis negative publicity in the media there’s a direct impact on absorption of tea by our international buyers and this has an adverse effects on the earnings of farmers,” he told the journalists
They have now pleaded with all stakeholders to keep off from interfering with the board elected by farmers, urging them that any matters of the concern can be handled through dialogue
KTDA vice-chair Eric Chepkwony criticised Ronoh for directly interfering with board disputes at the Michimikuru tea factory and the purported suspension of directors.
Efforts to reach the PS were in futile as he did not pick up our calls. He did not also reply our text messages
Mr Chepkwony noted that despite the election of factory shareholders at the Michimikuru Tea factory, a section of shareholders expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, leading to the purported requisition of a special general meeting.
The KTDA board and factory directors pointed fingers at the PS for visiting the factory and making a declaration to suspend the board
These comes few days after the leadership wrangles split farmers and their representatives at Miciimikuru Tea Factory in Tigania, Meru County after section of farmers defied a court order and held elections for new directors
Michimikuru is one of the oldest factories in Kenya.
The wrangles stemmed from the low bonus declared by the board led by its chairman, Stephen Kathiri, who has dismissed the election accusing national government administrators of interfering with the operations at the factory.
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“The meeting and purported election are illegal because the conveners did not follow the Company Act and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
A meeting happens after the Company Secretary has given a 21 notice day,” he said, adding that the company secretary was not involved.
He said factory management, the Kenya Tea Development Agency, and the regulator, the Tea Board of Kenya were not involved