Leaders unite in calls for return of land farmed by tea multinationals

Workers plucking tea on a farm. Calls for tea firms, whose land leases have expired in Rift Valley to return the parcels to the locals have intensified, with leaders from the region seeming to be reading from the same script. Photo/FILE 

In Summary

• “They (lawyers) would also sue the British Government to compensate the thousands of families who got displaced when white highlands were forceful taken away during World War I and II,” Mr Sang said.

By NATION TEAM
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Calls for tea firms, whose land leases have expired in Rift Valley to return the parcels to the locals have intensified, with leaders from the region seeming to be reading from the same script.

Some county leaders from North and South Rift at the weekend amplified by the calls that were first made by MPs.

They want the ownership of huge tracts of land used by the multinationals reverted to the community. However, leaders in Nandi County are not planning to subdivide the parcels but want to hold them in trust on behalf of the community.

The Nandi county leadership under Governor Cleophas Lagat is now backing the proposal that was floated by local lawmakers.

Other leaders backing the planned takeover are, among others, Nandi Senator Stephen Sang and MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Mrs Zipporah  Kurgat (Nandi Women Rep), Alex Kosgey (Emgwen), Cornelius Serem (Aldai), Julius  Meli (Tindiret), Julius Bitok ( Mosop), Elijah Lagat (Chesumei) and Oscar Sudi.

According to Mr Sang, their plan is to give the local community ownership of the land and not necessarily to interfere with the business and management of the tea firms.

“We would like to make it clear that we are not trying to stage a Mugabe-like takeover of these companies, but rather empower the local people to own the land to be held in trust by the county government,” Mr Sang said yesterday in a telephone interview.

“The companies such as George Williamson and Eastern Produce of Kenya should rest easy and carry on with their businesses because no one will invade their plantations.”

The leaders plan to hire lawyers to pursue their case at the African Court. They want the court to order the government not to renew expired land leases for the multinationals, and instead transfer ownership to the community.

Sue the British Government

“They (lawyers) would also sue the British Government to compensate the thousands of families who got displaced when white highlands were forceful taken away during World War I and II,” Mr Sang said.

Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat said they were determined to bar the multinationals from renewing their leases.

“The companies run plantations on plots that once belonged to the locals and, therefore, the county government felt it good to keep it in a manner that directly benefits them,” Dr Lagat said on Thursday in Eldoret.

However, he was quick to add that the law would be followed due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Dr Lagat dispelled claims that the move may discourage investors from setting up businesses in the county.

“We are not seeking to jeopardise investments; actually we are asking them to avail their thoughts to the leadership and we will have fair dealings,” he said.

Despite the assurances, there is growing fear of losing jobs among top Kenya managers at the helm of targeted multinationals.

Five top managers, who did not wish to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, expressed fear they could end up being sacked as they are associated with firms, which have been accused of not taking corporate social responsibility seriously.

Some of the companies, whose leases are set to expire in the next three to four years in Nandi, are Chemomi and Kepchomo, which fall under the Eastern Produce Tea Kenya.

The lease of Koisagat Tea Company expired three years ago and was bought by Mombasa-based business tycoon David Langat and re-named DL-Koisagat Tea Company.

The companies employ more than 370,000 tea workers.

Reported By Mazera Ndurya, Tom Matoke And Copperfield Lagat.