Trans Nzoia tea farmers are against the ongoing Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) board elections. They faulted the government for interfering with the affairs of the sector.
The more than 2,500 farmers who are members of Kapsara Tea Factory vowed not to hold elections as directed by the government.
They termed ongoing elections illegal and accused the State of employing dictatorial tactics to manipulate the sector.
“We are opposed to the ongoing KTDA board elections,” said Ben Simiyu, a farmer.
The farmers also accused the government of disobeying court orders that suspended the elections.
READ MORE
A decade of tea sector reforms that left farmers with bitter taste
Tea farmers queue at banks for bonuses as low payouts spark tax protests
Tea farmers' patience withers as meagre bonuses deepen despair
“We are going to boycott picking tea until the government respects the law. It is an insult for the government to try to force us to conduct elections,” said Simiyu.
On March 12, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the Kenya Tea Board to conduct elections at all tea factories affiliated to KTDA within 60 days. But company directors moved to court to stop the directive and an order was granted suspending the elections until the case is heard and determined.
