Celebration in tea zones after Mlolongo directors retained seat in the contested election
The Mountain Journal
After three years of reshaping the tea sector, the directors made a come back in the control of the sector based on the trust the farmers have in them.
In the past three months, 54 tea factories have been rocked with unending politics as many aspirants declared interest to run against the directors who ushered the reforms in the sector immediately they were elected.
In the unexpected push and pull with in the corridors of law courts, in April a settlement agreement between the warring parties under the stewardship of Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) resolved a election be held to help iron out the differences between the former and the current directors.
Photo/ James Githinji the vice chairman at Ngere Tea Factory in Murang’a.
On Saturday, the farmers turned up and endorsed the majority of the current directors to remain at the helm of the sector based on their three years performance.
In Murang’a county, the majority of the current directors made a comeback as the farmers expressed confidence in their works based on revamping of the sector and increment of price of the green leaf from Sh16 to Sh25 in a span of three years.
Last night there were celebrations at Ngere, Nduti, Gatunguru, Njunu, Makomboki, Gacharage, Ikumbi tea factories upon re-election of the entire directors during the hotly contested election.
Ngere Factory Vice Chairman James Githinji said the re-election of the directors follows the confidence the farmers have in their leadership.
“ The directors are devoted to continuing serving the small scale tea growers at all times,” said Githinji.
Also the KTDA Chairman Enos Njeru won the Mbiu Njeru area directorship seat affiliated to the Rukiriri Tea Factory and who appreciated the Kenyan farmers for conducting the elections peacefully.
“ We shall continue to be close to the growers at all times to ensure they get the best payment from the market,” said Njeru.
In Murang’a county,in the electoral process, three directors, lawyer Chege Kirundi(Kiru), John Kahari(Kanyenyaini) and Nancy Wangari(Nduti) sailed through after they failed to get opposition at the nomination stage.
At Nduti tea factory, at Kiangatia area, the Vice Chairman Joseph Mahugu retained after he polled 344 votes against Titus Gicheru and Samson Ng’ang’a who polled 28 votes and 26 votes respectively.
At Kiru factory, two former directors Eston Gakungu and Martin Ngatia were elected after trouncing their colleagues
At Njunu tea factory, the vice chairman Maina Gathua alias Bidco won the Gituru electoral area polling 428 votes against Mwangi Mahugu 33 votes.
At Kanyenya ini tea factory Alex Macharia was re-elected to represent Gitugu zone, while the incumbent Patrick Muchiri retained Tuthu electoral area after trouncing a former director Francis Mark Macharia.
At Ngoe ini zone, Peter Gachuhi was elected replacing Ms Mary Gitaka after he garnered 201 votes against 51 votes.
At Githambo Tea Factory, chairman Joseph Karanu was re-elected at Gathaithi area, as his board got three new members representing Murarandia, Ichichi and Matharite electoral areas.
In Kiambu county, only at Gachege factory the directors were re-elected as in Kabaa,Kagwi, and Mataara factories each had two new directors.
In Embu county, at Rukiriri, Kathangariri all the directors were re-elected while at Mungania a new person was elected.
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