The late Joseph Mwangi Mbote who served as the chairman at Makomboki tea factory in Kigumo, Murang’a
The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal
Blow to the tea sector in Murang’a following the death of Makomboki tea factory chairman Joseph Mwangi Mbote.
Mbote succumbed on Saturday night after an illness and ranked among the tea growers who fought for the introduction of the tea reforms by the former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration in 2020.
Death of Mbote is a blow to the factory, being the second after that of first chairman Moffat Kamau in 2021, as the tea directors were implementing the reforms.
Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) CEO Willy Mutai described the late as a gallant warrior who stood for the interest of the tea farmers.
“ He was a genuine and true gallant tea reformist, and last year the Makomboki factory under his leadership was among the factories that paid better bonus to the farmers,” said Mr Mutai.
Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro mourned the late Mbote remembering with nostalgia how during the Kericho Tea Conference chaired by the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua , how he actively participated.
“He was a dyed in the wool tea farmers rights activist where tea and tea reforms were concerned,” said Munyoro whose Kigumo has three tea factories namely, Makomboki, Gacharage and Ikumbi.
Murang’a tea caucus Chairman Wilfred Gathitu Karau and the local KTDA zone two Board Member James Githinji eulogised Mbote as a staunch leader who was in touch with his more than 7,400 tea farmers, who over the years produced quality tea.
“ As an expert in the sector during our meetings he contributed immensely and assisted the growth of the sector,” said Gathitu.
Githinji described Mbote as a hero who remained steadfast fighting for the rights of the growers, with the latest demanding the government return of Sh6 billion for the fertiliser subsidy to the tea factories.
“In all the meetings his contributions remained historic based on the journey gone to liberate the tea growers,” said Githinji.
