(MURANG’A, KENYA) – A Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) board member has called for a swift and impartial investigation into allegations surrounding a KES 322 million ($2.2 million / £1.7 million) fertilizer payment, saying the truth should be established to protect the interests of tea farmers.
Chege Kirundi, the KTDA Zone Three board member, spoke at Kiru Tea Factory and said he was ready to cooperate with investigators. He challenged relevant agencies to speed up the probe and make their findings public.
Kirundi said he had voluntarily honoured a summons by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) but expressed concern that he was not allowed to record a statement after presenting himself to the investigators.
“I have nothing to hide, and I remain ready to assist investigators at any time,” Kirundi said.
His sentiments were supported by directors representing Kiru, Gatunguru, Kanyenyaini and Githambo tea factories. They dismissed allegations linking him to an irregular payment during the 2024/2025 fertilizer procurement process.
The directors said no verified evidence had been presented to prove that the alleged excess payment occurred when Kirundi served as chairman of KTDA. They urged investigators to establish the facts rather than allow speculation to continue.
They questioned why Kirundi appeared to be the only one among the 12 national board members summoned over the matter and why his statement was not recorded after he honoured the summons.
The leaders called on the DCI to conclude its investigations without fear or favour. They noted that farmers had a right to know how money allocated to the tea sector was utilised.
Zone Three board member Samson Kaguma said farmers were anxious to know the truth. He urged investigators to move with speed and bring those found culpable to book.
Kaguma noted that the alleged payment was made after Kirundi had left his position as KTDA chairman. He therefore called for all individuals involved in the transaction to be investigated.
“We want the truth to come out. If there are people who were involved in the matter, they should face the law,” he said.
Kiru Tea Factory Vice Chairman John Kiriri similarly urged the DCI to complete its investigations and issue a conclusive report to farmers. He said farmers remained apprehensive over the allegations.
Kiriri questioned the timing of the disputed payment, claiming it was made after the contractual timelines for the fertilizer supply had expired.
The directors also called for investigations into separate allegations of an attempted KES 256 million ($1.8 million / £1.4 million) kickback linked to the government’s fertilizer subsidy programme.
They claimed that some individuals had sought substantial commissions from the arrangement but said Kirundi declined to approve or support the alleged payments.
The leaders said the two issues should be investigated independently and transparently to determine whether any funds were lost or whether individuals attempted to benefit irregularly from the fertilizer programme.
They cautioned against using the allegations to tarnish the reputation of individuals before investigations were completed. They said prolonged uncertainty was creating anxiety among tea farmers.
The leaders maintained that their interest was to safeguard farmers’ earnings and ensure that every shilling allocated to the tea industry was properly accounted for.
They pledged to cooperate with lawful investigations and called for greater transparency in KTDA operations, particularly in procurement and management of programmes affecting tea growers.
The controversy comes at a time when fertilizer remains a critical input for tea farmers. Procurement and timely distribution directly affect production and the incomes of growers.
The directors said farmers should ultimately be provided with clear information on the transactions in question once investigations are concluded.
They maintained that accountability, transparency and protection of farmers’ interests should remain central to the management of the tea sector.