Aspirants who lost in the KTDA elections which took place in different electoral zones in Maua-Igembe urged supporters not to recognize the results of the election, which they claimed was marred by widespread irregularities.
“The elections were not transparent, and tea farmers were not given an equal opportunity to vote. The returning officer for the election was my opponent’s brother.
My supporters outnumbered my opponent, and when the police officers shot in the air, my supporters fled.
That means there was a plan in place to ensure I didn’t succeed. I demand that the elections be held again,” said Joseph Kobia, Kantheri electro area KTDA director aspirant.
“I am enraged by the Kiegoi tea factory elections held in the Kiegoi electoral area.
I had a lot of supporters, but when we got to the polling place, the people who had lined up for me were moved to my competitor.
There was a lot of corruption in the election, and I wrote to Kenya’s Tea Board to express my dissatisfaction with the Kiegoi electoral area election.
I implore the government to intervene so that the Kiegoi electoral zone elections can be repeated,” said Joel Mwiti, the Kiegoi electoral area aspirant for KTDA director position.
“As we counted Joseph Kobia’s votes and reached 684, Joseph Kobia’s brother appointed himself clerk of our votes.
We confronted him after he caused a commotion among the voters who had lined up, resulting in chaos. The police fired in the air.
Kobia’s votes were stolen because the elections were not properly counted. We demand that the elections be held again,” said Thuranira Murega, an agent for Joseph Kobia’s votes.
In their victory speech on April 21, KTDA directors-elect in different electoral zones in Maua-Igembe promised increased earnings and thanked the voters, striking an optimistic tone about the prospects for renewed and transparent leadership.
“I’d like to thank the farmers who voted for us and I thank God that the voting went well. I would also like to congratulate the directors who were elected.
In the past When we have been harvesting tea, the earnings cannot help us when it comes to payment.
A lot of work happens in tea farming. There is the planting and fertilizer purchase, but the money from the harvest does not help educate our children.
I believe that the reforms we intend to implement will provide sufficient funds to farmers. As a woman, I will advocate for the rights of women,” said Kageni Muthuri, the director-elect for Kiegoi tea zone.
“The other directors elected yesterday have appointed me as chairman. I’d like to thank the farmers who came out and made their voices heard.
We have been sent by the tea farmers to do only one thing: increase the tea’s earnings,” said Baptista Muriki, the director-elect for Kani Ka Rui tea zone.
