Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has dismissed speculation that the government is partial to particular candidates in the forthcoming elections for KTDA directors.
On Friday, Linturi said that smallholder tea farmers have the final say to determine who will be their directors in the elections slated for June 28 in all 54 tea factories managed by the KTDA.
Speaking when he visited Ngutu and Makomboki tea factories in Murang’a County, the CS said any interference with the elections, either politically or through corruption, will taint reforms the government has been implementing in the tea sector.
“Don’t be misled by speculations that there are preferred candidates in the elections of factory directors. The Kenya Kwanza government stands for transparency and openness. Those peddling lies that some individuals will get the positions through government help are lying,” stated Linturi.
“We want to maintain the integrity of the reforms we have so far made in the electoral system. The farmers should exercise their mandate by ensuring those elected are people of integrity.”
Linturi noted that to ensure a smooth election process for the factory directors, election management organs, including the national election committee, election technical committee and dispute resolution committee have been formed.
“Some of the measures that have been put in place to ensure successful elections include the nomination of IEBC to conduct the election for the smallholder tea factories’ directors.
“Election manuals containing principles and guidelines for the election are available at the Tea Board of Kenya website,” he added.
Linturi further said electoral areas and polling stations have been selected, adding that staff to manage the exercise have been appointed and trained.
He reiterated that the elections are a significant activity in the calendar of the tea industry in the country and by extension for the government.
“I call for patriotism, integrity, dedication and full commitment of the IEBC and TBK teams as well as the support of the relevant government agencies to deliver credible elections. We don’t want to have court petitions after exercise,” Linturi noted.
The CS urged farmers to nominate knowledgeable people with experience and passion in tea development to steer factories’ business for the next three years.
“I also request the candidates to uphold peace, integrity and issue-based campaigns as they seek votes as I caution farmers against being enticed with money to elect some individuals,” he remarked.
The current directors whose term is coming to an end were elected in 2021 during elections that were overseen by the TBK and other support agencies after farmers objected to KTDA, which is the managing agent of the factories, conducting the exercise.
However, various parties instituted court cases against the Tea Act, 2020 and also challenged the legitimacy of the current directors of the 54 smallholder tea factories.
Numerous mediation meetings were held with the parties who had gone to court. The parties finally reached an out-of-court settlement and a mediation settlement agreement was finally signed on April 2 this year paving way for elections of new directors.
Meanwhile, Linturi called upon farmers to support the government especially in the Finance Bill 2024 saying all proposed taxes are not meant to exploit Kenyans but are a way to get more funds to facilitate development in all sectors.
“We have been availing of subsidised fertilisers and also doing various reforms in the agricultural sector. This year tea farmers will get a better bonus.
To implement various projects and reforms, there is a need for funds which the government has to get through taxes. I appeal to Kenyans to support what has been stipulated in this year’s finance bill,” he pleaded.
By Bernard Munyao
