Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
Senators led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Narok Counterpart Ledama Ole Kina said the Bill is timely as it also seeks to restrict landlords from increasing rent without a 3-month notice to the tenants/FILE

County News

Senate to consider tea sector reform law during Monday Special Sitting

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 18 – The Senate will on Monday hold a special sitting to consider the much-awaited Tea Bill which will see the revival of the Tea Board of Kenya and adoption of new regulations to govern the cartel-soaked sector.

Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka said he recalled the Senators who are on their Christmas Recess following a request of the Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio.

This comes after the National Assembly approved the bill last month but made amendments to some parts of the Bill which if signed into law, will compel tea brokers, buyers and auction organisers to ensure that the proceeds from the sale of tea is paid within 14 days and the factory will now pay 50 per cent of receipt of the sales to the farmers.

According to the sponsor of the Bill, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheriyiout says an earlier attempt to have management agents such as KTDA sit at the Tea Board was dropped and the crucial one-man-one-vote in the election of directors, which had been omitted, leading to uproar by farmers, was reinstated and passed.

The Tea Research Foundation, which used to carry our research on the sector, will also come back in the proposed law.

The CS will also have powers to prescribe regulations for the tea auction which is solely handled by the East African Tea Trade Association.

If the Bill is enacted, the auction organiser will establish an electronic trading platform that is accessible to all players in the value chain. This will remove the opaque practice where farmers hardly know how their produce is sold.

If the Senators do not agree with changes made by the National Assembly, the Speakers of both Houses will appoint a Mediation Committee which will report to both Houses and the Bill will then be sent to the President for signing.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to recruit an additional 460 National Police Reservists to help beef...

CHINA DAILY

People from all walks of life across the Xizang autonomous region held activities on Thursday to mark the 65th anniversary of the abolition of...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – Kenya Power has unveiled a power backup plan that will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the country in case...

CHINA DAILY

BEIJING, Mar 28 – China’s National Health Commission has released a circular to enhance the management of midwife service, highlighting the role of publicly-funded...

CHINA DAILY

BEIJING, Mar 28 – A key focus of China’s healthcare sector this year is to mobilize senior medical professionals in urban areas to the...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is set to embark on a 100 Day Rapid Results Initiative to fight...

NATIONAL NEWS

Amoth emphasized the importance of precautionary measures, including avoiding close contact with sick individuals, practicing respiratory and hand hygiene.

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – President William Ruto has officially flagged off this year’s World Rally Championship Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention...