Tea farmers lobby groups have distanced
themselves from the stand of Council of Governors’.
The growers expressed their disappointment
with the COG following their decision to rubbish the proposed tea reforms.
The growers in Mt Kenya region, led by
growers association Wambugu Gachunje and Samuel Njunu said the council was
playing politics instead of coming to the rescue of growers.
Wambugu said the process to reform the sector
is backed by the farmers from the tea growing belts focusing for a bright
future for their children.
“The farmers are bitter with the COG decision
on the proposed regulation supported by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter
Munya.
The growers drawn from 10 tea factories argued
that the council concerns does not hold water as issues pertaining to policies
are under the national government.
Njunu said the council moved to defend open
auction and direct sales which can be manipulated by the players.
Njunu speaking in Gatanga said in the past
eight years the county governments have failed to establish initiatives to
familiarize themselves with the plight of tea farmers.
“The council has no basis and its
decision was designed to delay implementation of tea regulations,” said Njunu.
The COG decision was communicated by its
agriculture Committee chairman Muthomi Njuki.
The council called for their withdrawal of the proposal seeking for further consultative forums with county governments.
The COG in its decision observed that
the regulation unless challenged would rollback of the gain of economic
liberalization in the sector.
They called for the encouragement of direct sales which the
proposal outlawed if they offer a better price than the Mombasa Auction.
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