Farmers in Bomet and other regions remain deeply dissatisfied, warning that unless their grievances are addressed, they may down tools entirely, an outcome that could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s tea sector, the world’s largest exporter of black tea
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By The Weekly Vision Reporter
Tea farmers in Bomet County have threatened to stop harvesting green leaf and, in some cases, have uprooted their tea bushes entirely in protest at what they describe as the lowest bonus payments in living memory. While Mununga Tea Factory in Kirinyaga County recorded the highest rate in the country at around KSh 61 per kilo of green leaf, factories in Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, and Kericho posted some of the lowest payouts, with figures dropping to as little as KSh 10 per kilo.
Sources at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) headquarters in Nairobi revealed to The Weekly Vision that the threats are being treated as a national security matter, with the government, through its security agencies, tasked with handling the situation. “Farmers should not lose hope,” one source said, urging patience.
Reports indicate that tea growers at Kapkoros Tea Factory in Bomet East, led by a local Member of the County Assembly (MCA) who is also an aspiring senator, resorted to uprooting or cutting down their tea bushes in protest, actions widely viewed as incitement by KTDA. The MCA is believed to be related to a senior official at the Tea Board of Kenya, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Discontent has been simmering at the Tea Board of Kenya following the recent introduction of sweeping management and administrative changes by the current KTDA board, which some stakeholders reportedly oppose. There have also been calls from certain quarters to split KTDA into two bodies, one serving the West Rift and the other the East Rift. However, insiders have dismissed the proposal as impractical, arguing that KTDA’s strength lies in its aggregation model.
Aggregation refers to the collection and consolidation of green leaf from smallholder farmers at designated centres before transportation to factories for processing. This system ensures that even the smallest farmers can access markets by:
- Reducing transport costs: Bulk collection saves farmers from bearing heavy individual transportation expenses.
- Limiting exploitation by middlemen: Payments are based on recorded weights, ensuring fairness.
- Maintaining quality standards: KTDA enforces the “two leaves and a bud” standard, enabling higher-quality production.
- Delivering economies of scale: Farmers benefit from upfront payments at delivery and annual bonuses tied to global sales, made possible by KTDA’s bulk-selling model.
The East Rift zone covers factories in Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, and parts of Kericho and Bomet, while the West Rift includes Kericho (west side), Bomet, Nandi, Kisii, Nyamira, Vihiga, and Kakamega.
Several issues have been cited as contributing factors to the low bonuses in Kisii, Nyamira, and parts of Bomet:
- Poor plucking practices: Many farmers deliver coarse leaves (three or more leaves and a stalk) instead of the recommended “two leaves and a bud”, resulting in lower-quality tea.
- Oversupply and competition: Oversupply depresses prices, while some farmers sell to private factories or middlemen for quick cash, undermining
- High production costs and mismanagement: Factories in certain counties struggle with bloated workforces, inefficiencies, and weak governance, all of which contribute to reduced profitability.
- Market perceptions: At the Mombasa auction, teas from Kericho, Nandi, or Mt Kenya fetch premium prices for their consistent quality, while Kisii teas are viewed as variable and attract lower bids.
KTDA has emphasised its commitment to improving farmer returns through operational efficiency and cost reduction. “Cost reduction is central. We are streamlining operations and making sure resources are used prudently. That’s the direction we are taking,” a source familiar with the ongoing reforms said.
For now, farmers in Bomet and other regions remain deeply dissatisfied, warning that unless their grievances are addressed, they may down tools entirely, an outcome that could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s tea sector, the world’s largest exporter of black tea.
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