The government has ordered all tea directors from the Michiimikuru Tea Factory in Tigania Central Sub-county to step aside to allow investigations into possible mismanagement of funds and abuse of office.
Agriculture PS Dr. Paul Rono announced that in a week, a team from Nairobi would be on the ground to conduct thorough investigations into the issues bedeviling the oldest tea factory in Meru County.
Last month, farmers from the factory held demonstrations over the low bonus of Kes 35 despite the quality and volume of tea they process, which also led to the burning of several hectares of tea estate.
During a general meeting on September 27, the farmers voted to oust the six directors, opting instead for a new slate of interim directors who would reform the factory’s leadership.
“We have heard the cry of farmers from this factory, and I want to be categorical that the Kenya Kwanza’s administration believes that when you touch the farmer, you have touched the government,” he said during a fact-finding tour of the factory,
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“In this regard, I am ordering all six directors to step aside so we can carry out thorough investigations into the alleged issues,” said the PS.
During the tour, it also emerged that the factory has been registered under three names, and the investigators will also investigate this matter.
“We need to sanitise our factories because these are the source of revenue for our farmers. We will not allow anyone to mismanage farmers funds, and this issue will set an example to other directors in other factories and with similar behaviour,” said Dr. Rono.
He also warned directors against imposing projects on farmers, adding that the farmers should have a chance to decide which projects they require during their annual general meeting.
