Slow processing of Kipkebe Tea factory in Nyamira has led to outcry from farmers who are said to be losing a lot of revenue following the stalemate.
On Wednesday, many farmers waited patiently for vehicles responsible for transporting the product to the factory in vein, reports emerged that many of them were not able to avail their tea produce to the factory.
They accused Kipkebe Limited for deceit and incompetency and threatened to rejoin Kenya Tea Development Authority which they had quit earlier for the same reasons.
“I am frustrated I have been waiting for the vehicles for over 48hours. We are losing a lot of revenue and we fear going back to our farms to pluck more tea due to the delay,” said Cecily Mwango.
“It is quite unfair that we are going through the same predicaments we experienced when we were at KTDA. We may consider going back to KTDA since the officials are not willing to address the problem,” she added.
However, Kipkebe branch manager Mr. Kevin Muriuki said a section of the plant was under repair hence the stalemate but insisted the problem would be dealt with by the end of the week.
“We are out of the limbo but we urge farmers to remain calm. We were repairing a section of the branch hence the standoff,” he said.