1 August 2007
editorial
Nairobi — Small-scale tea farming is one of the few relatively successful commercial agricultural ventures in Kenya. Since Independence, successful management of the industry, donor support, and minimal Government interference, have combined to make tea-growing areas economically well-off.
But both farmers and politicians believe that things have taken a downturn.
In 1999, the Kenya Tea Development Authority converted into a private agency. Previously infamous for corrupt deals involving procurement, it has, so far, managed to stay out of the limelight.
One may easily attribute this to professionalism in the agency's management. But farmers and politicians claim it is because KTDA has been stripped of all checks and balances which were in place before the changes - ironically instigated by then opposition members, who are now in Government.
Politicians are not coming into the debate with clean hands, as some live in mortal fear of the power that directorship of KTDA bestows on political rivals.
The same can be said of the directors who want to go to court to oppose the move to re-nationalise KTDA. Besides the feeble defence that they have been popularly elected, they fail completely when it comes to revealing who is watching over farmers' investments.
The farmers may be deluding themselves that State intervention will come with the kind of financial help witnessed in the dairy, coffee and cereals sub-sectors. But this may not be so.
KTDA should, indeed, remain a private entity. But in view of its economic importance, Government organs and internal systems should thoroughly hold the directors to account.
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