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Farmers in tea sale threat
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 07 July 2007 08:22
Electricity supply has been disconnected to the affected factories. Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Nyangoso tea buying centre chairman Thomas Nyaribo and treasurer John Nyachiro accused the factories' management of failing to pay electricity bills in time, thus subjecting farmers to unwarranted losses.
Africa 2007
The factories are Sanganyi, Nyansiongo and Tombe. Mr Nyaribo said he received a letter on Wednesday from the Sanganyi leaf base manager directing farmers not to pick tea until further notice. "It is unfair for the factory management not to pay power bills on time since enough money is set aside to cater for such expenses."
The district tea officer, Mr Patrick Shikami, confirmed the suspension of tea picking in the three factories since Tuesday, when
power was disconnected.
However, he said, the supply had been reconnected after about Sh4 million outstanding bills was cleared.
"I expect farmers from the affected factories to resume tea picking by tomorrow (Friday) and I hope the hitch will not be experienced in future."Mr Shikami advised the affected farmers to rescind their decision to sell their crop to private tea companies which, he claimed, exploited them by not offering second payment to growers.
The Kenya Tea Growers Association Kericho branch chairman yesterday complained that farmers were receiving no services despite their paying huge sums of money as cess to the county council.
Mr Titus Korir said the association paid Sh8.5 million last year to the Kipsigis and Bomet county councils.He said members who maintained classified roads had not been paid. "The matter needs to be taken up further with the authorities concerned."
