Joy in the tea-growing belts after parliament passed tea
regulations bill that deny Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) control of the
lucrative sector.
In Mt Kenya region, the residents celebrated the move by the
national assembly, as they questioned why their MPs missed out during the
heated debate.
The journey to reform the sector started three years ago after the
majority of growers questioned KTDA leadership after they were locked out from
participating in directorship elections.
Irungu Nyakera
The passage of the motion caught the agency leadership off guard,
as it had instituted legal proceedings to stop the implementation of the
regulations.
Agriculture Food Authority (AFA)has been recommended to implement
the regulations.
Peter Kihungi a tea farmer said there was a need for the
implementation of the regulations to guide the sector.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered Agriculture Cabinet Secretary
Peter Munya to move in a speed and rectify mess in the sector,” said Kihungi.
CS Peter Munya at Ndaka grounds where he met Murang’a tea growers
Muraya Gatu a tea farmer in Mathioya said the MPs are
duty-bound to attend sessions to deliberate the growers from the
suffering.
“ Now the bill is going for a third reading thus need for the MPs
from tea growing areas to show their solidarity,” said Muraya.
Chairman of Tea sector Lobby Group Irungu Nyakera
appreciated the endorsement of the regulations by the national
assembly.
“It has been a battle that has taken farmers decades to win. The
government-backed regulations are designed to benefit the small scale growers
who are the majority,” said Nyakera.
In Murang’a, tea farming is practiced in Kandara, Gatanga,
Kigumo, Kiharu, Kangema, and Mathioya.
Only Maragua constituency under MP Mary Wamaua that does not have
tea farms.
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