FARMKENYA INITIATIVE
Tea farmers have challenged the recently passed Tea Act.
The Kenya Tea Growers Association filed an urgent petition at the High Court challenging Sections 36, 48 and 53 of the Tea Act 2020 on grounds that they were illegally inserted by Parliament without considering the plight of tea farmers.
Through lawyer Fred Ojiambo, the association wants the three sections declared unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, and that they be expunged from the Act.
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The farmers claim the said provisions will increase taxes and drive them out of business.
“The provisions introduce additional tea levies, which are higher and are likely to drive the privately owned tea estates out of business. The sections were unlawfully inserted in the final draft passed by the National Assembly and ratified by the Senate without public participation,” said Ojiambo.
Multinationals challenge new tea law
Friday January 15 2021
By SAM KIPLAGAT
Summary
In a petition filed under a certificate of urgency, the multi-nationals under the Kenya Tea Growers Association, argue that Sections 36, 48, and 53 of the law, were enacted in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution.
The tea estates including James Finlay, Kapchorua Tea Plc Ltd, Kipkebe Ltd, Nandi Tea Estates, Williamson Tea Plc and Sotik Highlands Tea Estates Ltd, said the sections will have catastrophic impact on tea producers and the industry as a whole, if left in their current form.
Fifteen large-scale tea growers have challenged sections of the recently enacted tea law, saying they are discriminatory and will cause them losses.