KTDA warns against use of its logo by candidates ahead of June 28 polls
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has warned candidates vying for director positions in factory elections against using the organisation’s logo and other facilities in their campaigns.
In a statement, the agency top management said the candidates are under scrutiny by the public on social media for alleged unethical behaviour.
The election process is being managed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The tea farmers agency confirmed that several candidates are using the KTDA logo in their campaign materials, such as posters and online graphics.
Oversight agencies
The use of KTDA’s brand names and trademarked symbols is neither endorsed nor permitted by KTDA Holdings and its subsidiaries. Instead the candidates are supposed to use own logos as they sell their policies to the farmers.
“KTDA acknowledges these concerns and urges the election oversight agencies to ensure that candidates cleared to run are of good moral standing. KTDA has a zero-tolerance policy on gender-based violence, sexual harassment, corruption, and other such unethical behaviour,” stated the statement. It adds: “In alignment with Chapter 6 of the Kenyan Constitution, KTDA calls upon the election oversight agencies to ensure those elected to lead factories are thoroughly vetted and are persons of integrity.”
The agency stated that unauthorised use should not be interpreted as an endorsement by KTDA. We request all candidates to cease using these marks immediately. a senior official with KTDA confirmed that IEBC cleared candidates who have court cases, a situation raising of concerns from among the international buyers.
The election will be carried on June 28, 2024 across all the 71 tea factories affiliated to the KTDA across the country. For the last two years gov-ernment has been consistent in implementing new reform in the tea sub-sector.
Over 600, 000 tea farmers from the 54 KTDA-managed factories across the country will participate in the elections. Voting will be through the se-cret ballot system based on “one farmer, one vote principle”.
IEBC is mandated by the Constitution under Article 88 (4) to conduct or supervise referenda and elections to any elec-tive body or office established by the Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament. According to the agreement, IEBC is set to appoint returning officers for each of the factories.
