THE STANDARD By
Macharia Kamau |
January 30th 2021 at 00:00:00 GMT +0300
Agriculture CS Peter Munya [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
The implementation of the Tea Act, 2020 is facing more resistance after 50 tea factory companies were enjoined in a class action constitutional petition challenging sections of the law.
The Agriculture ministry argues that implementing the reforms contained in the Act will result in more earnings for farmers.
The High Court in Embu on Thursday admitted the 50 additional tea factory companies to be co-petitioners in the petition filed by Mungania Tea Factory Company against the Attorney General.
The petitioners now form the bulk of tea factory companies in Kenya - which are owned by smallholders - considering that there are 66 such companies whose produce is marketed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
FARMKENYA INITIATIVE
Crop
By Macharia Kamau | January 25th 2021 at 08:40:00 GMT +0300
Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives CS Peter Munya says reforms will increase earnings. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
The Tea Act, 2020 is facing fresh headwinds after three separate High Court orders suspended the implementation and execution of several key provisions of the new law.
This was after they were challenged by various industry players. The Act was assented to by President Uhuru Kenyatta last December and the Agriculture ministry has published implementation guidelines for the new laws, indicating its readiness to roll them out.
Yesterday, the ministry invited industry players to give comments on two sets of draft regulations, one re-introducing the tea levy and another on how payments to farmers will be made.
KTDA, multinationals get 2-month window to end direct tea sales
Thursday January 21 2021
By GERALD ANDAE
Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture has given multinational companies and the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) a two-month window to close direct sales of tea amid a court case that has temporarily stopped the implementation of the new Tea Act.
The ban on direct tea sale, brought about by the enactment of the Tea Act that requires all teas to be sold exclusively through the auction, will see the players miss out on lucrative overseas market.
The firms said they are at a loss over how to deal with forward contracts signed with overseas buyers should the court fail to stop Section 36 of the Act that has imposed the ban.
THE STANDARD
KENYA
Tea farmers stage a protest at Uhuru Park in Nairobi in December 17, 2020. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
Multinational tea companies have won the first round of their battle to stop the introduction of levies on their produce after the High Court suspended some sections of the Tea Act.
Justice Anthony Mrima stopped the government from implementing Sections 36, 48 and 53 of the recently enacted Tea Act 2020 until the petition filed by Kenya Tea Growers Association challenging the laws is heard and determined.
“An injunction is hereby issued restraining the Ministry of Agriculture from implementing the disputed sections of the Tea Act pending hearing and determination of the suit,” ruled Mrima.
Court suspends new tea levy
Tuesday January 19 2021
By SAM KIPLAGAT
Summary
The High Court Monday temporarily suspended a new levy on tea sales, pending the determination of a case filed by 15 tea companies.
Justice Anthony Mrima also suspended sections of the Tea Act, which compels processors and manufacturers of tea to offer their produce for auction, save for orthodox and specialty teas.
The law, which came into effect on January 11, says all teas should be offered at the tea auction floor.
The High Court Monday temporarily suspended a new levy on tea sales, pending the determination of a case filed by 15 tea companies.