The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has reversed its earlier announcement that James Mwangi Githinji had been elected chairman, saying Enos Njeru remains the substantive head of the board following a court order suspending the leadership changes.
In a statement issued, KTDA said the board had elected Githinji during a meeting on November 3, but the decision could not take effect after the court issued conservatory orders maintaining the status quo.
The agency said the dispute would be mentioned in court on November 24, when directions are expected.
“Further to our statement issued on November 3, 2026, we wish to clarify that Mr Enos Njeru remains the substantive Chairman of the Board,” the agency said.
It added: “Following a court order granting conservatory orders of stay, the status quo has been maintained until the matter is heard and determined.”
The clarification came a day after KTDA announced Githinji's election, replacing Njeru, in a development that triggered protests from the outgoing chairman over the manner in which the leadership change was conducted.
Njeru questioned the legitimacy of the meeting that elected Githinji, alleging that six board members had not been notified and were unaware that another meeting had been scheduled.
He claimed he had postponed the November 3 meeting and that a majority of board members had agreed to the postponement.
“How, therefore, did another meeting subsequently take place, and how did it arrive at decisions purporting to change the leadership of KTDA Holdings without the knowledge or participation of six Board Members?” he posed.
Njeru demanded explanations on who convened the meeting, who attended and whether the required notices and quorum were observed.
“These are fundamental governance questions that cannot simply be wished away,” he said, calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the purported leadership change.
Njeru also accused unnamed individuals of putting personal financial and political interests ahead of the institution and the millions of tea farmers it represents.
He insisted that he would not be intimidated or pressured into approving transactions he considered questionable.
“I will not be anybody's puppet. Nobody has the authority to intimidate, blackmail or coerce me into participating in questionable, unlawful or unethical dealings,” Njeru said.
He further declared, "I would rather lose my seat than betray the farmers who entrusted me with their leadership.”
Njeru also raised allegations of illegal payments and the possible use of farmers' money for political campaign financing by some board members, without naming those allegedly involved.
He said his position on accountability and transparency remained unchanged, insisting that he would not compromise institutional integrity to protect individual interests.
“I would rather lose the chairmanship, or any other position, than betray the farmer,” he said.
The latest developments leave the KTDA leadership dispute unresolved, with Njeru retaining the chairmanship pending the court's determination.
The agency, however, sought to reassure tea farmers and other stakeholders that the dispute would not disrupt its operations.
“We assure our stakeholders that our operations continue uninterrupted,” the statement said.
The court proceedings on November 24 are expected to provide direction on the dispute, including the contested board decision that had announced Githinji as the new chairman.
