The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has compelled Mau Tea Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited to release information regarding unpaid debts owed to two farmers for tea green leaf supplies.

According to CAJ’s press statement released on Monday, September 1, 2025, the farmers, identified as Farmer No. 71 and Farmer No. 43, had supplied green leaf tea to the Society between December 2023 and February 2024 but had not received payment. Their appeal to the Commission followed the Society’s failure to process an earlier information request on the matter.

In a joint appeal letter dated June 10, 2025, the two farmers explained their frustrations after failing to get a response to their formal request. They attached supporting documents, including emails and records of the quantities of tea supplied, to support their claim.

“I am writing to seek the assistance of the Commission in claiming payments for tea leaves supplied to Mau Cooperative Society during specific months in 2023 and 2024. My neighbour and I made a formal request for information asking to be paid our dues on June 10, 2025, but we did not receive a response to our email,” part of the farmers’ appeal read.

Responding to the Commission’s intervention, the Chief Executive Officer of Mau Tea Multipurpose Cooperative Society acknowledged that the farmers’ earlier request had not been received. Nevertheless, he proceeded to confirm the outstanding amounts owed and assured that the Society was seeking financing to clear the debts before the end of the year.

The Ombudsman’s involvement in this matter is guided by Section 22(3) of the Access to Information Act, 2016, and Regulation 25(1) of the Access to Information (ATI) General Regulations, 2023. These legal provisions require public and private entities to release information in cases where it directly affects individuals’ rights.