FORMER KTDA directors ousted in sweeping elections and changes implemented in the sector have been issued with stern warning to keep off tea factories premises.
The former directors were also prevented from undertaking any activities in the factory or engaging tea farmers in any way as directors, the new changes started taking effect.
Agriculture CS Peter Munya and his Interior counterpart Fred Matiangi’ issued the stern warning as they announced a raft of measures to be taken to return sanity to the tea sector.
Munya ordered that the newly elected directors be given full access to all properties of their respective tea factories.
He also ordered the surrender of the Company’s seal and other instruments of ownership to the newly appointed Company Secretary and the availing a register of fixed assets and documents of title.
Munya further called for the provision of a status report on all bank accounts, current signatories and signed forms for change of signatories as well as provision of financial reports for the last nine (9) months indicating both performance and position of the tea factory.
He said an inventory inventory report indicating stocks at the factory on transits and in all warehouses and minutes of the last Board meeting to be availed.
The CS said he was aware that newly elected officials are going through difficulties as they take over leadership in their respective factories.
He pointed out the difficulties as resistance by KTDA employees and in particular the factory unit managers, political interference and sabotage by KTDA and former directors.
In the event that the current management fails to cooperate, Munya directed the new boards to engage experienced individuals to oversee production, collection of green leaf, development of a payment system for farmers and provision of security services.
At the same time the CS directed the Tea Board of Kenya to immediately commence a programme to sensitize the board members on the ongoing tea reforms, best practices in corporate governance and the expectations of the boards in the implementation of reforms for the industry.
