Kenya Kwanza Leaders led by the Deputy Party leader Mr. Rigathi Gachagua have called on the multi-national tea companies in Kericho and Bomet Counties to remove the mechanized tea plucking machines and reinstate thousands of manual-tea-plucking laborers who were displaced by the introduction machines.
The leaders said they will remove the machines and bring back the manual laborers into the tea farms, should they be elected into office on August 9th General Election.
Gachagua who was flanked by Senators, Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Moses Wetangula (Kakamega), echoed his sentiments, saying that thousands of people rendered jobless in the two Counties are now languishing in poverty due to the hard economic times.
Also, the Kericho UDA nominated Governor, Dr. Eric Mutai, weighed in on the issue assuring Kericho residents that in his tenure he will ensure all tea plucking laborers have been given back their jobs.
Trade Unionist, William Sossion, lamented that the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), has disrupted the normal education of children, alleging that the CBC was only aimed at benefitting few individuals economically.
“If we win the elections, I have been promised a docket in the education sector and I will streamline the sector, to make it better than it is right now.” Added Sossion
The leaders also called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the ICT Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, to ensure the network connectivity and all technological systems work effectively, during the election and the tallying of the votes.
“The government should assure us of enough security during elections and all systems should work effectively during the tallying of the votes. Cabinet Secretaries should stop engaging in politics by mobilizing Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs), to take part in politics in favour of opponents,” they said
The Kenya Kwanza leaders from Kericho and Bomet were speaking, Sunday, after an Interdenominational Prayer Rally at Moi Gardens in Kericho Rally, where the clergy led the leaders and the members of public in prayer for the nation ahead of the August polls.
The Clergy who comprised of Bishops and Pastors Fellowship Kericho County called on leaders to maintain peace love and unity in their campaigns and avoid incitement that may lead to instability in the nation.
“Elections come and go but the nation of Kenya remains. After the 9th August elections, we should be able to go back to our businesses peacefully. So, let’s uphold peace and love one another before, during and after elections.”
Other leaders present included Kericho Governor, Prof. Paul Chepkwony, Bomet Governor, Hillary Barchok, Former Bomet Governor, Isaac Ruto, Incoming County Women Rep. Beatrice Kemei, Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat, Emurua Dikir MP Johana Ngeno, Belgut MP Nelson Koech alias Sonko, Soin-Sigowet MP elect, Justice Kemei among others.
