Destruction of property in Kericho must come to an end - Regional Commissioner

Kericho, Friday May 26, 2023,

KNA by Kibe Mburu/ Kevin Rotich

The government has put on notice perpetrators of violent protests at Brook Centre, where irate demonstrators have since Monday staged protests against the use of tea harvesting machines by multinational tea estate companies, demanding reinstatement of tea plucking casual laborers.

Addressing the media Thursday after a two-hour closed door meeting, the security team led by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner (RC) Dr. Abdi Hassan warned the perpetrators of the violent protests that they will face the full force of the law.

Dr. Hassan revealed that so far six suspects have been charged in court in Kericho, adding police will continue cracking down on persons involved in destruction of property belonging to Ekaterra Tea Estates where tea harvesting machines were torched.

The Regional Commissioner stressed that aggrieved parties should use the laid down procedures of petitioning issues insisting that destruction of property and lawlessness would not be tolerated.

“We want to condemn the acts of destruction of property at Ekaterra Tea Estates and we will deal decisively with law breakers. This must come to an end; we are not debating. It must and it has to because this country has a constitution and is guided by the rule of law. We must respect, we must uphold the law,” stressed Dr. Hassan.

Meanwhile, the East African Tea Trade Association Chairman Mr. Arthur Sewe has strongly condemned the ongoing invasion of tea estates and the aftermath destruction of equipment worth millions.

“It is unfortunate that this is occurring at a time when the Kenyan economy is in bad shape and while the government is working hard to attract foreign investors to bring in foreign exchange and create employment in the country,” regretted Sewe.

This comes a day after Kericho leaders led by Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, and area Members of parliament held a meeting to address the situation urging the protestors to shun from looting and embrace civility in addressing their grievances.

"We want to have an open conversation with all the aggrieved parties including area leaders and the Kipsigis Clan of Elders to resolve the issue amicably," said Senator Cheruiyot.

Early this week Ekaterra Tea Kenya PLC suspended operations following violence protests and looting by suspected criminal groups at their tea estates in Kericho and Bomet Counties that led to loss of their properties valued at about Sh170 million. 

Courtesy ; K. N. A