Githinji Mwangi and Robert Ochoro @PeopleDailyKe
Four houses belonging to directors of Thumaita tea factory in Kirinyaga county were yesterday set ablaze by irate tea farmers as farmers incensed by poor payout went on the rampage destroying property worth millions of shillings. The irate farmers carrying petrol bombs raided directors home and looted them before setting them ablaze.
The more than 300 farmers engaged police in running battles forcing them to fire live bullets to disperse them. They also burnt a section of Thumaita tea factory firewood yard after forcing their way in causing heavy damage.
Riot police were forced to lob teargas canisters to repulse the farmers threatening to cause more damage. Business at the factory was paralysed as workers ran for their dear lives. In what was seen as well-organised scheme aimed at crippling their leaders economically, the four houses were petrol-bombed and their coffee and banana trees destroyed before the attackers fled from the scene leaving.
The farmers have also boycotted tea picking and anyone who disobeys their order is thoroughly beaten. Those interviewed vowed to continue with their demonstrations until their grievances are addressed.
They lamented that they have been paid peanuts by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) saying that they will not accept Sh41.50 per kilogramme payout. The farmers claimed they are supposed to be paid Sh46.50 per kilogramme but instead their directors have allegedly colluded to steal from them.
But Zone Four board member Jefither Karua termed the demonstrations as illegal saying that farmers are being incited to violence by some individuals eyeing directors’ seats.
He dismissed as hearsay claims that farmers ought to have been paid Sh46.50 per kilogramme saying the factory announced what they have in their account.
Elsewhere, in Kisii, coffee farmers are crying out to the authorities to save them from thieves who have descended on their produce denying them the fruit of their labour.
County Cooperative Societies Commissioner Vincent Kenyariri urged the government to set up Administration Police posts at the societies to beef up security. The Commissioner said 36 bags — six from Nyamosongo and 30 from Ekerubo factory, Nyaigwa cooperative societies — have disappeared in the last two months without trace.
The post Farmers torch directors’ homes in tea payout row appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.