Tea farmers from Murang’a have lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to streamline the sector. But the anticipated reforms continued to drag as different players in the tea sector filed suits seeking changes to some of the clauses in the Act. The farmers again came out accusing KTDA of plotting to frustrate the attempts by the government to reform the sector and appealed to the President to intervene. The newly established Tea Board of Kenya was directed to sanction immediate elections in all tea factories to enable farmers freely elect their board members within 60 days. Kenya Tea Lobby Sector chairperson Irugu Nyakera said 2021 should be named the year of the farmer, expressing optimism that the struggles faced by tea farmers will soon be over.

Source: The Star March 15, 2021 19:05 UTC