Kericho: Police Officers, Journalists Injured as Residents Torch Tea Plucking Machines

Five police officers and a journalist were injured by stones thrown at them after residents demonstrated torching green leaf plucking machines and trucks at Ekaterra company in Kericho County.

More than seven motorized hand machines, at least two mechanical machines and a tractor were torched by protesters on Kapgorech tea estate next to Brooke trading centre.

The protesters, armed with crude weapons, drove off with several cows belonging to the company’s managers.

Residents of Kapsaos in Ainamoi Constituency had been demanding to be employed as tea pickers in the company for the past week and had dropped leaflets in the area warning businessmen not to open shops.

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Kericho Governor Erick Mutai tried to calm the protesters, but his vehicles were stoned by the mob.

“Let us not take the law into our own hands but try to resolve the outstanding issues calmly,” Dr Mutai told the protesters.

Yesterday’s protests also followed similar protests last week when six police officers were seriously injured after being attacked by more than 200 youths who were illegally harvesting tea at James Finlay Kenya in Bomet.