Farmers retain directors in KTDA poll

By Standard Team

Small-scale tea farmers contracted to Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) managed factories yesterday peacefully elected directors in an exercise likened to a mini General Election, despite claims that the voting system favoured large-scale farmers.

In the larger Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru, many of the outgoing directors retained their positions in the largely peaceful polls, with some of being elected unopposed. Out of the 70 directors elected, 54 retained their positions.

In Ragati Factory in Nyeri, Kenya Tea Board Chairman, Dunstan Magu Ngumo, retained his seat to represent Magutu Central electoral area. At Ndima, Nicholus Mahihu Muriithi, floored Francis Njogu and two other candidates after he got 12,681 votes, against Francis Njogu’s 5,797 votes.

James Muchai became the new director for Makomboki factory, while James Gathua was picked to represent Nduti factory.

In Nyanza, David Michieka and Richard Oboso retained their positions at Tombe Tea Factory.

Chris Nyakora polled 11,790 votes to retain his directorship at Nyansiongo Tea Factory, beating a one-time director Japheth Onyari to second position with 9,449 in the hotly contested seat. KDTA board member, John Nyagarama, was elected director unopposed to the factory to retain his seat.

A long serving director with Sanganyi Tea Factory, Francis Ongwae Migiro also retained his seat. Evans Momanyi polled 17,950 to become a director at Kebirigo Tea Factory, beating Benjamin Moturi to second position.

In Nyamache Tea Factory, Samuel Nyangechi, polled 4,844 against Ephrahim Moreri, to win the seat. Edward Moenga and Mogendi Bosire were elected directors to Kiamokama Tea Factory. William Nyaega was elected a director to Nyankoba Tea Factory, while Silvanus Nyanchama was elected to represent Gianchore Tea Factory.

South rift protests

But elections in the South Rift marred by protests in some zones.

At Kapkoros in Bomet, the exer ise was called off after protests over conflicting registers. Farmers claimed names of outgrowers, who were to vote in the exercise, as contained in the agency’s master register, did not tally with those sent to polling centres.

Presiding officer, Charles Chirchir, called off the exercise and said a new election date would be set. The region has 12 factories, but most of them went to the polls without incident

In Mogogosiek two long serving directors, Joshua Koge, and, Ronald Ngeny, representing Koiwa and Boito zones respectively, retained their seats.

In Litein Tea factory long serving director, Jeremiah Rono of Getarwet zone, lost to a former factory leave collection clerk, Kennedy Ngetich.

Ngetich polled 11,502 against Rono’s 10,052 votes. In the same factory, the incumbent director, Richard Langat, beat fove other contestants to retain his seat.

In Kapset, Paul Koech of Chebangang upper zone, was elected unopposed. William Tonui was picked to represent Kapsinendet zone in the same factory, and newcomer Bernard Koech was picked to represent Techoget zone in Kapkatet Tea factory. In the same factory David Cheruiyot retained his seat to represent Cheplanget zone.

Reported By Robert Nyasato, Peter Mutai, Moses Njagih And Wairimu Kamande