Directors
A big number of current KTDA directors allied to tea factories in Murang’a were re-elected in the elections conducted on Saturday in various polling stations within the tea growing zones.
In the polls conducted by the IEBC and done in selected tea buying centres which acted as polling stations, former directors who were targeting to make a comeback were floored by the current directors. Murang’a county has 10 tea factories distributed in the tea growing zone stretching through the sub counties of Mathioya, Kangema,Kahuro, Kigumo, Kandara and Gatanga.
Majority of directors who retained their positions were of Nduti, Gatunguru, Njunu, Makomboki, Gacharage and Ikumbi tea factories Three directors namely, Chege Kirundi of Kiru, John Kahari (Kanyenyaini) and Nancy Wangari of Nduti sailed through after they failed to get competitors at nomination stage.
At Ngere factory, KTDA Board Member of Zone 2, James Githinji said the current directors sailed through after they showed commitments in implementation of tea reforms.
Githinji who won the Mbugiti electoral directorship in Gatanga said majority of tea farmers are optimistic with the reforms championed by the government that have seen increase of prices of green leaf and timely payment of bonus. “It has not been easy for the last three years as the current directors worked to ensure the farmers backed the reforms,” he added.
At Kanyenya-ini tea factory Alex Macharia was re-elected to represent Gitugu zone, while the incumbent Patrick Muchiri retained Tuthu electoral area after trouncing a former director Francis Mark Macharia.
A current director Ms Mary Gitaka lost her directorship slot at Ngoeni electoral area to Peter Gachuhi after she got 51 votes against 201 votes. Two former Directors Eston Gakungu and Martin Ngatia of Kiru tea factory were elected to represent Kairo and Kiambuthia electoral areas respectively.
At Njunu tea factory, the Vice Chairman Maina Gathua Bidco won the Gituru electoral area polling with 428 votes against Mwangi Mahugu 33 votes. Joseph Mahugu of Kiangatia electoral area of Nduti tea factory retained his position after he polled 344 votes against Titus Gicheru and Samson Ng’ang’a who polled 28 votes and 26 votes respectively.
In the Mukuria area, Kuria Kamau polled 468 votes defeating Hilary Thuku who got 56 votes, while in Karangi area, Kamau Mwicuci got 240 votes against Charles Kimenyi 29 votes.
At Githambo Tea Factory, chairman Joseph Karanu was re-elected at Gathaithi area, as his board got three new members representing Murarandia, Ichichi and Matharite electoral areas. The elections that were slated for Friday, were delayed after the IEBC claimed there were some logistical hitches that caused elections material not to reach the polling stations on time.
Three weeks ago, agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Lunturi who toured several tea factories within the region said the government had no preferred candidates in the elections.Lunturi challenged tea farmers to elect people of high integrity, trustworthy and who are ready to champion their interests in the sub sector.