tea farmers elect board members

 Murang’a tea directors have elected their leaders a month after they were elected in office

The representatives from the 10 tea factories elected lawyer Chege Kirundi and Paul Kagema in the board of Management to represent their interest, replacing Francis Mark Macharia and Eng Erastus Gakuya.

Kirundi the chairman of Kiru tea factory polled 17 votes to defeat his sole opponent Francis Kagondu of Githambo tea factory to clinch the board of the management position.

After the regions complete the electoral process attention will turn on the KTDA leadership  to replace Chairman Peter Kanyago.

In the Southern region, Kagema the chairman at Gacharage tea factory polled 27 votes to defeat Moffat Mbue who garnered seven votes. Mbue is the chairman  at Githambo tea factory and among the tea farmers who championed reforms in the tea sector.

Kirundi who led the onslaught on KTDA leadership in 2017 in his acceptance speech said the directors will work in their interest of the tea growers unlike the previous boards.

“ Tea is a major income earner in Kenya and farmers should be rich  as opposed to the suffering they are experiencing due to irresponsible management of the sector,” said Kirundi.

 The pro tea sector reforms were supported by Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary  Peter Munya and Tea Sector Lobby Chairman Irungu Nyakera.

 Kirundi added that the directors have agreed  to have a forensic audit conducted in their factories to help expose the shoddy dealings done by the managers.