Company Meeting Called Off As Shareholders Turn Rowdy

Posted to the web 21 July 2008 Stephen Munyiri Nairobi A special general meeting for a tea farmers' company ended in disarray at the weekend following what directors described as political interference. The meeting, attended by about 2,000 shareholders of Ragati Tea Factory in Mathira Nyeri North turned rowdy, forcing the directors to call it off. The meeting had been called to explore ways of cutting costs. A spokesman for the farmers, Mr Maina Munyua, said that the right procedure was not followed in convening the meeting. He said the agenda was not clear as it merely said the meeting was a general discussion on issues affecting the company. The farmers had suggested, among other things, that the number of directors be reduced to cut costs. But as the meeting got underway, some shareholders started heckling some directors,... [read full story]