KENYA
Hundreds of tobacco farmers gathered in Kehancha, Kuria West sub-county, protesting against Mastermind Tobacco Co., Ltd., accusing the company of failing to pay their arrears since 2014 while now buying cheap tobacco from Tanzania.
The farmers were from Kuria West, Kuria East, and other parts of Migori County. According to their chairman, Chacha Mwita Rantai, Mastermind is now using a cartel to buy what they term as cheap and illegal tobacco from Tanzania and deliver it to Meru for processing.
Mastermind’s Nyabohanse station area leaf manager, Edward Kareithi, admitted that indeed the company owes the farmers the money but downplayed their number saying they were only a few. However, he refuted claims that the company was buying tobacco from neighboring Tanzania.
The farmers have vowed to stay put until all their dues are fully paid and are now calling on President Uhuru Kenyatta and the county leadership to intervene and ensure they are paid.