By Mandere Onyinkwa
The latest leadership change at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings has sparked a fresh dispute.
Immediate former chairman Enos Njeru is questioning the validity of the board meeting that installed his successor, James Githinji Mwangi.
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KTDA announced on Tuesday that Mwangi had been appointed chairman following a board election, replacing Njeru, who returned to the position in March this year.
Eng. Samson Mosonik Menjo retained his position as vice-chairman.
However, Njeru has challenged the process, alleging that six board members were neither notified nor aware of the meeting at which the leadership change was decided.
In a statement, the former chairman said he had postponed an earlier meeting, a decision he claimed had been supported by the majority of directors.
“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 questioned who convened the subsequent meeting, who attended and whether the required notices had been issued and quorum established.
He described the reported developments as a serious breach of corporate governance and called for an independent investigation.
“KTDA is not anybody’s personal property, and its Boardroom is not a private business where decisions can be manufactured to serve individual interests,” he said.
He also accused unnamed individuals of placing personal financial and political interests above the welfare of tea farmers, although he did not provide details or evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Njeru maintained that he would not approve what he considered questionable transactions or allow farmers’ money to be used for political campaigns.
“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,” he said.
He added: “I would rather lose the chairmanship, or any other position, than betray the farmer.”
KTDA assures farmers of continuity
In its announcement, KTDA said the National Board had appointed Mwangi as chairman, with Menjo continuing as vice-chairman.
The agency did not give details of the circumstances surrounding Njeru’s exit or respond to the specific allegations he subsequently raised.
It sought to reassure farmers, shareholders and other stakeholders that the leadership transition would not affect its operations.
“Business operations will continue seamlessly across all operations,” the board said, adding that it remained focused on operational efficiency, maximising value and safeguarding the interests of smallholder tea farmers and shareholders.
The change comes less than eight months after Njeru returned to the chairmanship in March, replacing Chege Kirundi, who had taken over in January 2025.
Njeru was first appointed chairman in July 2023 following the resignation of David Ichoho. He was re-elected in August 2024 before the subsequent leadership changes.
The latest development adds to a period of recurring leadership transitions at the agency, whose decisions have significant implications for smallholder tea farmers, factory operations and the marketing of Kenyan tea.
