Tea plucking continued within Mt Kenya region after the farmers ignored the planned national strike and instead resolved to have their grievances addressed during the end-of-year meetings.
Across the counties, the farmers were busy on their farms, accompanied by their tea pluckers, as the planned presentation of a petition by critics questioning the alleged obtaining of loans of Sh34 billion by December last year failed.
The Tea Board of Kenya, through its website, has discouraged farmers from participating in the strike that had called for the resignation of directors, scrapping of tea levy, audit of status of factory debts and halt factories upgrade programme.
A spot by The Standard at Ngere Tea Factory, revealed that green leaf collection trucks were in the field collecting the produce from the buying centres from as early as 10.30 am
In Murang’a, John Macharia and Peter Kamonde, farmers of Kanyenya ini and Kiru tea factories, said although there was need for accountability on the utilisation of the loans in the factories, the critics should desist from inciting the growers.
Macharia said though a forensic financial audit was needed, there was no need for the critics to call for a national strike as any issues can be deliberated during the annual general meetings of the respective factories.
“The issues surrounding the tea farming should be approached with somberness to avoid plunging the sector into chaos,” said Macharia.
Kamonde said the majority of the critics were pursuing their interests and eyeing the upcoming directorship elections, and asked them to wait for the electioneering period.
"Presently, the farmers are expecting the annual bonus, which, to local standards, is expected to be low following the challenges that have faced the sector in the year that included high cost of petrol, closure of the shipment routes, among others,” said Kamonde.
Francis Kamunge Njiru, a farmer affiliated to Mungania and Rukuriri Tea Factories, said organisers of the planned strike had failed to issue communication through the buying centre in line with the procedure.
“Tea farming is a key business that should be conducted with dignity instead of distracting farmers from their daily chores,” said Mr Njiru.
KTDA Holding Chairman Enos Njeru said the reports from the factories indicated none of the petitions was lodged by the farmers.
“There is a need for the sector to remain strong and face the future with courage, instead of being discouraged by the few with selfish interests eyeing to settle scores,” said Mr Njeru.
