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Ogembo Tea Farmers Sue Factory Directors
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 22 July 2007 22:13
In two separate suits filed by lawyer Koina Onyancha in the Kisii High Court, the farmers want an independent committee of auditors picked by the Government or court to investigate the alleged financial mismanagement.
The farmers who are represented by lawyers Onyancha, Samuel Mogaka, Osiemo Mwambi, Ongoto Nyaberi, Ogega Obure and Nyasaka Machoka also want the directors of the factory to be compelled to hold a special annual general meeting to address their grievances.
Commissioner of Assize, P K K A Birech, ordered that the case in which the farmers are demanding the appointment of an independent investigating team be heard inter partes on Friday, November 9.
The respondents are Ogembo Tea Factory and its directors Samuel Nyabuogi, Astariko Atika, Zachary Nyarango, James Kebati, A M Habibo and Jason Nyangwara.
The same respondents are also expected to appear before Justice Isaac Wambilianga on November 26 for the inter partes hearing of the other suit in which the farmers are demanding the extraordinary annual general meeting.
And small scale tea growers affiliated to Kiamokama Tea Factory company continue to incur huge losses as a result of the ongoing tea picking boycott.
The growers have ignored calls from the Minister of Health, Prof Sam Ongeri, to resume tea picking.
The farmers have vowed to resume tea picking only after the directors resign.
The growers are protesting the illegal deductions from their bonus payment towards the construction of a tea factory in the area. The boycott is now running into the second week.
Two weeks ago farmers affiliated to Ogembo factory boycotted picking tea accusing their directors of mismanagement. They have since resumed.
The factory manager, Mr Benjamin Kwambai, has cautioned farmers against taking part in any boycott. He said the company incurred a total loss of Sh2 million when the farmers boycotted tea picking.
The manager advised the growers to use the laid down procedures in airing their grievances.
Kwambai said operations at the factory were now normal and assured the farmers that the grievances they raised in their memo will be addressed adequately.
