The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has disowned documents circulating on social media and other platforms that purport to detail its financial status, loans, governance and dealings with various individuals and financial institutions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, KTDA said the documents had not been officially issued or authenticated by the agency and urged farmers, shareholders, financiers, business partners, regulators and the public to disregard them.
“The documents and information being circulated have not been officially issued or authenticated by KTDA and do not represent the official position of the Agency,” KTDA said.
The agency said the legitimacy of an audit purportedly attributed to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) could not be established because the copy in circulation lacked the necessary signatures, official stamp and other authentication.
It said its financial transactions are audited by professional bodies, with established procedures governing how audit findings are formally communicated to the institution and, where appropriate, its shareholders and other stakeholders.
KTDA said it welcomed legitimate scrutiny but cautioned against conclusions based on unauthenticated material.
“Scrutiny must be based on facts, authenticated documents, evidence and due process—not fabricated documents, anonymous propaganda or misleading social-media campaigns.”
The agency urged farmers and shareholders to rely only on information issued through official KTDA channels and established governance structures when seeking information on audited financial statements and governance matters.
Addressing allegations on its financial standing, the agency cautioned against treating the existence of loans or other financing arrangements as proof of financial wrongdoing.
KTDA reassured its financiers, banks, suppliers, investors and other business partners that the allegations circulating online did not alter its commercial relationships.
“Our financing arrangements and commercial relationships are governed by formal agreements, established banking procedures and applicable laws,” KTDA said.
“Any allegation concerning a particular transaction must be supported by verified facts, proper documentation and due process.”
The agency also raised concerns over the possible unlawful acquisition of protected information and called for the matter to be investigated.
It said the manner in which the allegations were being circulated had raised concerns about a possible deliberate attempt to damage its reputation and undermine confidence in its leadership, staff, financiers and business partners.
It said such claims could ultimately affect the interests of the tea farmers it serves, particularly if they undermine confidence in the agency and its operations.
“We call upon the relevant authorities to investigate any unlawful acquisition, alteration, publication or dissemination of protected information and to take appropriate action where violations are established,” KTDA said.
According to the agency, public institutions and their leaders could be the targets of misinformation in the prevailing political campaigns for personal interests ahead of the General Election.
It called on individuals, companies, financial institutions, regulators, shareholders, farmers and members of the public to remain calm and exercise restraint as it deals with the issue.
KTDA said it would continue providing factual information through its official channels when necessary, while remaining focused on its mandate of protecting farmers’ interests.
