Murang’a:A leadership dispute at Githambo Tea Factory has intensified following the incumbent board’s rejection of resolutions by farmers to remove its directors and install an interim leadership team.
According to Kenya News Agency, the dispute began after growers appointed a six-member interim committee during a special general meeting on November 4. This meeting resulted in resolutions to replace the factory directors due to their absence from the meeting. However, the board, chaired by Moses Macharia, dismissed these resolutions as illegal and unconstitutional, indicating a potential standoff over the factory’s management.
In a statement dated November 6, Company Secretary Richard Kimani declared the resolutions to remove the directors null and void, insisting that any farmer concerns should be addressed through established legal and institutional procedures. Kimani emphasized the importance of pursuing legitimate concerns through lawful and structured channels.
Farmers maintain that their actions were driven by concerns over resource management, transparency in procurement, and recent tea bonus payments. They convened the meeting to demand explanations from the directors regarding the reduced bonus for the 2025/2026 season and expenditures, including a Sh138 million automated withering machine installed without proper consultation.
The interim committee, led by former factory chairman Joseph Kagondu, is awaiting a CR12 document to establish its official status. The outcome of the Githambo dispute will likely depend on the legality of the resolutions passed and the procedures for director removal and appointment.
