Eldoret: Muslim Clergy Message to President Ruto on Bomet and Kericho Tea Wrangles
CIPK Northrift Chairman Abubakar Bini
A section of Muslim leaders in the North Rift Region requested President Ruto to form a task force to unmask the root cause behind the invasion of tea estates and the burning down of property.
Led by North Rift Council of Imams and Muslim Preachers of Kenya chairman Sheikh Abubakar Bini, they said the move is uncalled for and ill-intended perpetrated by a few individuals for their gains.
In the past three weeks conflicts have escalated in several tea farms over disagreement on the use of tea-picking machines and related issues which poses the tea economy in danger.
Nine green leaf plucking machines and trucks at Ekaterra Company in Kericho County have been torched.
Motor vehicles, including one for the police and private tractors, have also been damaged in unlawful acts of wanton destruction of property.
Bini wants the root cause of the matter to be identified and solved since it might lead to loss of life and people losing their jobs.
“Tea factories provide employment opportunities to many people and also earn our country foreign exchange, but if we allow the invasions and raids to continue Kenya will lose a lot of money since investors will shy away,” added the Muslim leader.
Bini said that the Waggles might be involving prominent people and even politicians who want to sabotage the economy of this nation.
“There might be malicious individuals who intend to manipulate our economy. I am calling upon the Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome Nchebere to intervene and bring those involved to book , said Bini”.
Kindiki said investigations have linked some political and business leaders who support lawlessness and that action will be taken against the identified individuals.
“It is unfortunate that the police who are sent to maintain law and order are the ones who are being attacked. We saw a police vehicle being torched. I will not take this matter lightly. Everyone involved must face the law,” he added.
He noted that 24 suspects have so far been arrested and a helping the police to unearth those involved.
Among the suspects, 13 have been identified to come from Bomet and 11 from Kericho Counties.
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