Kipsigis Clans entire tea estate back

Kericho, Tuesday, May 23, 2023

KNA by Kibe Mburu/ Melvine Chepngetich

The Kipsigis Community Clans Organization on Monday rejected the 15 percent share of the Multinational Tea Estate offered by James Finlay Tea Estate Company that recently announced its exit from Kericho tea estates and sold the company to Sri Lankan Browns Investment PLC.

The Kipsigis elders who held a three-hour close door meeting with the Kericho County Governor Dr Eric Mutai at the County government offices demanded 100 percent reinstatement of their ancestral land from the Multinational Tea estate companies.

The aggrieved elders led by the Kipsigis Community Clans Organization Secretary General Joel Kimetto condemned the decision by Ekattera Limited to lay off employees from the community which has ignited animosity among the locals who are now jobless.

“We give a two-week ultimatum to Ekatera Limited to reinstate the top managers who were laid off otherwise we as a community will take action if they fail to do that,” said Kimetto.

At the same time, Governor Dr. Mutai said he supported the elders and incorporated their leaders in the joint working group comprising the County Executive, the legislature, and Browns Plc to oversee the issues concerning the multinational tea estates and the local communities.

“The Kipsigis clans’ elders, the Talai clan, and the County Government of Kericho share a mutual need for justice for our people who have suffered historical injustices and so we have agreed to move together going forward in matters Multinational tea estates including the intended sale of Finlays Kenya to Browns Plc,” said Dr. Mutai

Meanwhile, irate demonstrators at Brooke Centre on the outskirts of Kericho Town invaded the Ekatera Tea Limited and torched a tea harvesting machine demanding the employment of the plucking tea casuals who were sucked at the multinational tea company.

Police officers had to lob teargas canisters to disperse the protestors who barricaded the Kericho Nakuru road chanting slogans and carrying placards earlier in the day.

A heavy presence of anti-riot police officers has been deployed around the centre to maintain law and order as the protestors vow to continue protests until their grievances are addressed.

“I condemn the malicious invasion and damage of property by alleged demonstrators. I urge the affected locals to let us the County and National leadership handle the matter in a legally acceptable way so that their concerns are addressed,” said Governor Mutai.

Courtesy; K.N.A