Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, September 5 confronted the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) directors over their high travel expenditure.
Speaking during the closing of the induction workshop of the recently elected and re-elected KTDA directors in Mombasa County, Gachagua noted that directors have spent Ksh44 million on local and foreign travel between January and June 2024.
“You know I am a truthful man, allow me to tell you the truth because if I don’t tell you the farmers will. If you look at foreign travel for directors between January and June 2024, the KTDA holdings on local and foreign travel we have spent Ksh44 million and all this money will be deducted from the farmers,” said the DP.
Gachagua urged the KTDA directors to put effort into reducing their expenses saying if the excessive spending continues, farmers will give up hence affecting the country’s economy.
“As you settle to work, let us put effort into how to reduce expenses for the directors so that the farmers can get their rightful share if a farmer gives up, he will uproot the tea, and there will be no one to elect you and our economy will be affected,” Gachagua stated.
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DP Gachagua also asked the directors to fast-track the implementation of tea subsector reforms to put more money into the pocket of the farmer.
He pointed out that farmers have high expectations and they have no option but to turn around the subsector to profitability.
“The tea farmer has suffered for far too long. They have broken their backs. You must feel for the farmer. You must set your targets. Let the farmer say they made the right decision electing you at the end of your tenure and they re-elect you,” the Deputy President said.
