- Mt Kenya tea farmers continue plucking despite planned strike
- Farmers demand clarity on factory loans and sector finances
- KTDA says factories reported normal tea harvesting operations
Tea farmers in the Mt Kenya region proceeded with plucking their green leaf, ignoring the planned countrywide presentation of a petition castigating unexplained loans.
The farmers said the matter would be dealt with during the Annual General Meetings scheduled after the payment of the tea bonus later in the year.
The majority of critics in the tea sector, led by former factory directors, spoke last week based on a leaked Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) report that alleged Ksh 34 billion in loans had been acquired as at December last year.
In a spot check, farmers in the counties east of the Rift Valley were in the farms, backed by their employees, plucking the green leaf as early as 9 am.
The Tea Board of Kenya, through its website, has discouraged farmers from participating in the strike, calling for the resignation of directors, the scrapping of the tea levy, an audit of the status of factory debts and a halt to the factories’ upgrade programme.
Peter Kamonde, a farmer at Kiru Tea Factory, said there was a need for explanation on loans acquired by the factories, but none should dare incite farmers based on disassociating with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
“Right now the farmers are expecting the annual bonus, which, by local standards, is expected to be low following the challenges that have faced the sector in the year, among them the cost of petrol, the closure of shipment routes, among others,” said Kamonde.
KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru said reports from all the factories indicated none of the petitions were lodged by the farmers.
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Reports from the factories, he said, indicated that all the farmers were busy in the fields conducting their businesses as the trucks collected the green leaf for processing.
“There is a need for the sector to remain strong and face the future with courage, instead of being discouraged by the few with interests to settle scores,” said Njeru.
Jane Ngoroi, a farmer at Rukuriri Tea Factory, said she was not aware of the planned strike as no communication was issued through the buying centre.
“Tea farming is a business that should be conducted with a clear vision, as those inciting farmers should not be entertained,” said Ngoroi.
John Macharia, a farmer affiliated to Kanyenya-ini Tea Factory, said though a forensic audit was needed, there was no need for critics to call for a national strike.
“The issues surrounding tea farming should be approached with soberness to avoid plunging the sector into chaos,” said Macharia.
By our respondent
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