Several tea farmers from Bogetutu area in Nyamira have accused the Nyansiongo tea factory management of failing to release enough vehicles for the transportation of the commodity.
For two weeks now, many of them have avoided picking their tea from estates fearing that it would take those days before the company responds by sending vehicles for transportation.
According to those who spoke to Hivisasa.com on Thursday over the escalating predicament, the company was using only one vehicle to collect the tea from various buying centres in Bogetutu zone.
“I haven’t gone to my tea farm for the second week now. The situation is really wanting because one can spend up to a week including cold nights before they pick it from the centres,” said Alice Ombongi.
“They are only using one vehicle to serve over 30 buying centres from the region compared to seven vehicles that were used previously. No one is responding to our cry yet we pay transportation costs monthly to the company,” added George Mouko.
However, factory’s chairperson, Christopher Nyakora, said the situation will be under control since most vehicles had gone for repair in Nakuru but did not specify the period of time.
“I understand the situation and this is not our fault. It is purely mechanical and it will be fixed soon because about five of the vehicles are in Nakuru for repair. We really regret the situation,” he said.