The tea regulator has finally complied with resolutions of a joint meeting amending the electoral manual, ending a two weeks controversy for the June 28 election. In the amended manual dated June 6, the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) adhered to the resolutions reached in the meeting chaired by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi on Wednesday.
The meeting resolved issues that caused the unending disputes between KTDA directors and the (TBK).
Already, IEBC has started training of the returning officers and the polling clerks who will be incharge of the election in the tea growing counties. In the manual, the cost of the National Election Committee will be catered for by the regulator, after changes made from the earlier document that had directed the factories to pay the cost.
In the manual dated May 24, TBK ordered that the candidates vying for the director’s position must have obtained a D plain in the O level, but in the updated amendment, the minimum grade was replaced by O level education qualification.
“Other requirements must align with the article of association that existed in October 2020,” read part of the document. KTDA Chairman Enos Njeru said the wishes of the farmers have been addressed as they are interested in holding a free and transparent election to elect their representatives.
“One of the key resolutions is that the ballot papers will contain the photos of the cleared candidates, a clause the regulator had ignored despite being proposed,” said Njeru. Zone two KTDA Board Member James Githinji said the amended manual sheds light that the government was interested in fairness in the electoral process.
“The CS came in at the right time after the TBK had ignored listening to our pleas for a transparent process,” said Mr Githinji, also the vice chairman at Ngere Tea factory.
In the joint meeting chaired by Linturi, KTDA Holding was represented by Mr Njeru and Murang’a Board Member lawyer Chege Kirundi.