Tea factory in Kirinyaga County shut indefinitely after farmers' riots

Irate farmers within the premises of Thumaita tea factory protesting alleged poor bonus payment by the factory Board of Directors. The troubled tea factory in Kirinyaga County has been shut indefinitely. (PHOTO: MUNENE KAMAU/ STANDARD)

The troubled Thumaita tea factory in Kirinyaga County has been shut indefinitely. The move comes in the wake of continuous violence by area tea farmers who have been on the rampage over alleged poor bonus payments.
The farmers in their hundreds stormed the factory on Monday and attempted to set it on fire but were repulsed by police.

The unrelenting farmers, however, managed to sneak into the factory later in the day and set ablaze a heap of firewood the facility uses as fuel to process green tea.
The county fire engine, which rushed there shortly after 6 pm, was pelted with stones, forcing the firemen to abandon their mission.