By Shadrack Nyakoe
Tea farmers are facing significant financial losses following an audit report that exposed over Ksh 600 million (US$4.8 million) stolen by officials at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
The 130-page report presented to President William Ruto, details a comprehensive scheme of corruption and mismanagement.
Key findings from the audit include: Ksh 600 million stolen through dubious transactions by KTDA officials, Ksh 3 billion in dividends intended for farmers lost due to bank collapses and Ksh 101 million excessively paid to lawyers.
Also a Ksh. 542 million squandered on overpriced land purchases by KTDA was noted.
A specific instance highlighted in the report is the purchase of a 50-acre plot in Nyandarua for Ksh 39,984,000 (Ksh 800,000 per acre), despite a valuation indicating a market value of Ksh 750,000 per acre. This discrepancy resulted in an overpayment of Ksh 2.5 million.
Additionally, eight hectares of land in Laikipia/Nyahururu were bought for Kshs.15,515,600 to establish a wood fuel plantation, despite a KTDA forest officer’s report deeming the land unsuitable for that purpose.
These revelations depict a severe mismanagement of funds and resources, causing substantial financial harm to the tea farmers.
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