This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Published on October 3, 2019, Governor Paul Chepkwony has issued an ultimatum to multinational tea companies in Kericho County to surrender title deeds for their plantations.
The companies, including James Finlay, Unilever Tea, George Williamson, and Sotik Highlands Tea, occupy an estimated 800,000 acres with tea bushes.
The parcels of land were acquired during the pre-independence period, and the governor wants to regularise all land held under leasehold interest by resurveying it to issue fresh leases to the firms.
According to a copy of the letter addressed to the management of James Finlay Company, Prof Chepkwony states that his administration wants to issue the companies with fresh leases that do not exceed 99 years as prescribed by the Constitution.
"Kindly, but urgently surrender to my office all the title deeds for land held by your company in Kericho County. This should be done within 14 days," read the letter signed by Chepkwony dated September 23 and addressed to firm's management.
The governor says after the expiry of the deadline on Sunday, his administration will evaluate the response by the companies and issue a directive on the way forward.
However, the multinational companies through the Kenya Tea Growers Association Chief Executive Officer Apollo Kiari defended themselves, stating that there was a court order issued by Justice Pauline Nyamweya stopping any interference with the leases.
