David Muni Ichoho has resigned as the chairman of the troubled Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings Limited only two years after he ascended to office.

In a letter dated Tuesday, June 11, 2023, Ichoho indicated that his resignation from the helm of KTDA is effective Friday, July 14, 2023, but fails to provide reasons for the move.

The resignation letter bears a stamp that shows it was received by the KTDA Group Company Secretary on the same date it was written meaning it was accepted.

“I hereby tender my resignation as the chairman of KTDA (H) with immediate effect from Friday, 14th July 2023 at 1400hrs,” reads the letter handwritten and signed by Ichoho.

This comes a week after the Tea Reforms Conference led by DP Rigathi Gachagua in Kericho ended as he challenged KTDA to conduct proper reforms to benefit smallholder tea farmers.

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During the heated meeting, Gachagua threatened to invite National Intelligence Service to conduct an audit into dealings inside KTDA accusing some individuals of improprieties.

“Farmers are very good people and have sent us details. Somebody has travelled 36 times out of the country on farmers' money. You must agree to work with us or you lose everything, otherwise as a government, we have a way of removing you from office so that we work together,” warned Gachagua then.

The DP went on, “We have received very crucial details from farmers, some of whom have texted me. I have done a few cross-checking and we are going to give our National Intelligence Service to verify so that we are not accused of being unfair. Once that is processed and verified, we shall call you the directors and tell you the truth so that we can agree on how to move forward.”

Ichoho assumed office as KTDA Holdings Chairman in June 2021 after past KTDA board and factory directors were ousted as Jubilee Government sought to reform the tea sub-sector.