This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
Published on July 14, 2020, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has reached out to Members of Parliament (MPs) over the new tea regulations, seeking an opportunity to present its case.
KTDA, through its lawyer Millimo, Muthomi & Co Advocates, has petitioned Parliament, arguing that it has a right to public participation in the law-making process and should be granted an opportunity to submit its views.
‘As per our client’s right to public participation, they would like to be granted an opportunity to be heard when the said regulations are submitted before the relevant parliamentary committee,’ said the lawyer.
KTDA Power Company Limited, a subsidiary of the tea agency, has also petitioned Parliament, stating that it has significant interests and obligations that stand to be affected if the proposed regulations are enacted as presented.
KTDA Power Limited is mandated to manage small hydro-powers set up by the tea agency to cut energy cost, which is a major cost in tea processing.
Additionally, KTDA employees have petitioned Parliament and the Senate, arguing that the Tea Regulations, 2020, have a direct impact on them in regard to their contract with the tea agency.
The 800 employees have raised concerns over inconsistencies of the regulations with various provisions in the Constitution, non-compliance with requirement of public participation, infringement of rights of the employee, defects in drafting, deprivation of due process, and failure to take account of stakeholders’ views.
KTDA has also asked Agriculture CS Peter Munya to withdraw the recently gazetted eight-member team meant to oversee the implementation of the reforms, arguing that the committee is usurping its powers by taking up its roles.
