Agriculture CS Peter Munya has asked Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Samson Ojwang to ensure former officials of Kapsara Tea Factor account for Sh379 Million which was loaned to the factory and has been misused.
Munya called for immediate investigations into the misrepresentation of Sh379 million at Kapsara Tea Factory in Trans Nzoia County.
Speaking in Cherengany Sub County, the CS issued a directive to the County Commissioner Samson Ojwang to ensure former officials at the tea factory accounts for the money which was loaned to the factory and allegedly embezzled.
"I am directing the County Commissioner and all investigation agencies to probe into this corruption claims immediately and establish how the money was used," said Munya.
He added by saying the government cannot be castigated for mistakes by few people, hence calling for speedy arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the scam.
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He further reiterated that the government is determined to ensure that farmers enjoy maximum benefits from farming through the implementation of new regulations.
Munya has urged Tea farmers to embrace The Tea Act 2020, which is aimed at sealing the loopholes used by cartels that have been key players in the problems affecting the tea sub-sector in the country.
The Act has established The Tea Board of Kenya, which monitors, develops, promotes, regulates, and licenses agencies involved in the buying and selling of tea.
The new tea regulations promote accountability in the sector by paying tea farmers and giving them more power in the running of the tea factories.
He has therefore appealed to farmers in the sub-sector to adhere to the new regulations assuring them of better benefits from next year.
Other leaders who attended the event were Kenya Tea Development Agency KTDA Chairperson David Mune, Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus and Cherengany MP Joshua Kutuny.
Currently, farmers are buying a 50kg bag of tea fertilizer at Sh2,500 down from Sh3,200.