Murang’a tea farmers demand meet to end row

Chairman at Kiru tea factory in Murang’a, Mr Chege Kirundi addressing tea growers at Kiamuturi grounds where he accused Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) for disobeying court orders. [Boniface Gikandi]

A section of tea farmers affiliated to the troubled Kiru Tea Factory have demanded that a special general meeting be held to resolve leadership wrangles.

The farmers from Kihari and Kiamuturi want the factory management to tell them who between two individuals — Stephen Githiga and Chege Kirundi — is legally in office as the chairman.

Both Mr Githiga and Mr Kirundi have been claiming the chairmanship.

Speaking on Saturday at Kiamuturi grounds in Mathioya Sub-county, the farmers said it was time some sanity was injected into the running of the factory.

Bidding contract

Kirundi, who attended the meeting, alleged that the attempt to push him out of leadership is as a result of his push for an audit of the factory’s accounts.

“I asked for a forensic audit to evaluate the performance of the factory before Kiru signs a new management contract with KTDA (Kenya Tea Development Agency). That is where the problem is,” he said.

He explained that currently, Kiru has no bidding contract with the agency after the earlier one expired on June 30 this year.

Kirundi said the calls for his exit got louder after he called for a total review of the former contract, which would have seen farmers earn more.

Facing intimidation

Dishon Mbaria, a farmer who attended the Saturday meeting, said those championing the interests of farmers were facing intimidation.

“Let us not play politics with the tea sector. Our energies should be directed towards increasing production,” he said.

When contacted, KTDA spokesperson Ndiga Kithae said he was not aware of the Saturday meeting.

“KTDA is now concentrating on preparing new elections for Kiru as demanded by the law,” he added.