Farmers defy court, elect new tea factory directors

Workers use tea plucking machine on a farm. [File, Stndard]

Leadership wrangles that split farmers and their representatives at Miciimikuru Tea Factory in Tigania, Meru County, have escalated.

This is after a section of the farmers defied a court order and held elections for new directors of one of the oldest factories in Kenya.

The wrangles stemmed from the low bonus declared by the board led by its chairman, Stephen Kathiri, who has dismissed the election.

Kathiri said that there was a court order barring the election. Surprisingly, the faction that held the election to replace the Kathiri-led board had police protection.

Former director Joseph Mung’atia said; “We have come up with a new team of directors who will ensure farmers get money.”

“The articles and memorandum of association allow the farmers to call a special general meeting if the annual general meeting fails,” he added.

But Kathiri, who accused local politicians of interference in the factory’s management, said the purported election was null and void.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono visited the factory last year, ordered an audit, and directed the board to step aside to allow the process.

However, the High Court in Meru stopped the removal of the directors pending the hearing and determination of the matter. 

Kathiri argued that the PS has no power to sack the directors and the new election did not meet the legal threshold.

He accused the national government administrators of interfering with the operations at the factory.

“The meeting and purported election are illegal because the conveners did not follow the Company Act and the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

“A meeting happens after the Company Secretary has given a 21 notice day,” he said, adding that the company secretary was not involved.

He said factory management, the Kenya Tea Development Agency, and the regulator, the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) were also not involved.

The embattled chair said TBK was conducting an audit at the factory over alleged misappropriation of funds, and it should be allowed to conclude the process.