The election of KTDA directors in regions where voting did not occur on Friday is now underway. The exercise, which started at 7 am, will conclude at 3 pm, according to a statement from the electoral agency IEBC.
Despite the efforts, reports indicate a notably low turnout in most areas. This election marks the second time farmers are participating in this voting method, where each farmer represents one vote, as part of the KTDA reforms.
The IEBC postponed voting in 50 of the 54 smallholder tea factories across 15 counties due to logistical issues. “Due to unprecedented logistical hitches in the production and delivery of election materials, the election did not happen in some factories,” stated IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan.
The voting exercise is taking place in various electoral areas, including Momul, Tegat/Toror, Litein/Chelal, Kapkatet/Tebesonik, Kapkoros/Tirgaga/Motigo Olenguruone of Chesoen, Sibaiyan, Olenguruone, and Mugango/Kiromwok.
Marjan assured stakeholders that the process would be free, fair, and credible. These elections follow a court directive issued on April 11 this year after disputes between KTDA and former directors.
The IEBC’s supervision of the polls is a part of the ongoing reforms in the tea sub-sector, and the commission will handle any dispute resolution functions that may arise.
Voting is currently taking place in the following areas: Kambaa, Kagwe, Gachege, Mataara, Ngere, Njunu, Nduti, Makomboki, Ikumbi, Gacharage, Kanyenyaini, Githambo, Kiru, Gatunguru Gitugi, Iriaini, Ragati, Chinga, Gathuthi, Kimunye, Thumaita, Ndima, Kangaita, Mununga, Rukuriri, Kathangariri, and Mungania.
Other voting locations include Weru, Kinoro, Kionyo, Imenti, Githongo, Mickimikuru, Kiegoi, Kapset/Rorok, Gianchore, Nyansiongo/Matunwa, Tombe/Sombogo, Nyankoba, Kebirigo, Sanganyi, Ogembo/Eberege, Kiamokama/Rianyamwamu, Nyamache/Itumbe, Mudete, Kapsara, Chebut/Kaptumo, Mogogosiek/Boito/Kobel, and Kapkoros/Tirgaga/Motigo/Olenguruone in Ndaraweta, Singorwet, and Tegat/Chemaner.