Mataara Tea factory farmers have threatened to demonstrate on April 18, 2015, over alleged loss of funds and mishandling of their tea product.
Led by elite farmers in the area Nicholas Kimani and Beatrice Mumbi, who are human rights activists, the farmers claim to be counting over Sh100 million in losses, which they allege has been looted by the management.
Speaking to farmers at the final preparatory meeting a Miugu shopping centre, Kimani, who is leading the farmers in the fight against the alleged embezzlement of funds, said that time has come to oust corrupt leaders in the company.
“Time has come that farmers enjoy what is theirs without being interfered with by corrupt leaders, loss of over a hundred million in a year is not a joke, let us come out on Saturday and speak out our heart,” said Kimani.
It is no doubt that our director is also involved, he does not employ our youths yet the company is ours, out tea is getting damaged at the port of Mombasa due to lack of good handling and marketing system; enough is enough,” said Peter Kiringu, a farmer.
“I join our demo leaders into urging all of you to come out on Saturday as we air our view on how this company that we fought for should be run,” added Kiringu.
The farmers, according to human rights activist have been authorized by the area police to continue with the peaceful demonstrations, after they got a go ahead letter from the area OCPD Gibson Muhoro.
The call for a demonstration comes after an AGM meeting was done last week, where most of the farmers were not contented with the read records.