Governor wants police probed over attacks during invasion of tea farms by residents

Workers use a tea picking machine to harvest the produce in Nandi Hills, Nandi County. Residents of tea-growing regions have opposed the mechanization of tea harvesting over job losses. [File, Standard]

Dr Mutai has dismissed claims his fight against the mechanisation of tea harvesting is targeting major investors in order to take over the huge parcels of land they occupy.

"We don't want to kick them out, that is not our intention. However, we must have a dialogue on the utilization of the farms and their benefits to residents. They are profiteering enterprises in the middle of thousands of poor communities," said Mutai.

He said all they want is for the multinationals to be guided by the prevailing economic realities in the country.

"These companies had invested in other more developed countries but were driven out when they attempted to introduce the machines. Our economy is still growing and we have to protect every available job," said Mutai.

The governor said multinational tea companies' insensitivity to local communities is to blame for their woes. "There should be a balance to ensure everyone benefits," said Mutai.