Kisii County, Kenya: A section of small-scale tea farmers in Kisii County have moved to court to challenge the newly elected directors terming the election as illegal.
This was after the small-scale farmers turned out in Kisii and Nyamira Counties to elect new directors despite Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) obtained a court order to stop the polls.
Speaking to the press the farmers led by Naftal Nyambane said that nobody is against the elections as long as they follow the law.
“The election was against the law and it has set a bad precedent,” he said.
The farmers have dismissed the election of new Directors terming the exercise in futility as it didn’t follow the law as enshrined in the Company Act.
His sentiments were echoed by Zipporah Mong’are said that they have been oppressed for so long while others enriching themselves.
According to the farmers they have faced severe challenges in the previous regime such as corruption and receiving low bonuses which have demoralized them from this region.
However, they asked the government to chip in and reduce the high tax which is imposed on fertilizers.
The farmers stated that Covid-19 has affected their income and asked the government to consider and increase the tea bonuses.
They vowed that they will move to court to challenge the newly elected directors. The Tea farmers have challenged the Tea Board to chip in and rescue the situation.
