Tea farmers affiliated with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Tirgaga Tea Factory in Bomet County are protesting what they term as exploitative payments after receiving a meagre bonus of Ksh13 per kilogram, far below their expectation of Ksh60.
Speaking in Bomet, farmer David Rotich said the announcement left many growers shocked and demoralized, noting that farmers have faithfully plucked quality tea leaves in strict adherence to KTDA standards, only to be rewarded with what he described as “peanuts.”
“We had high hopes because we have worked hard to maintain our tea farms. The management told us the tea was being sold at high prices at the Mombasa auction, but now they are giving us Ksh13 per kilo. We want answers from the factory directors because we had faith in them when we elected them,” said Rotich.
According to him, the cost of farm inputs, labor, and maintenance has continued to rise sharply, leaving farmers operating at a loss. He lamented that despite the enormous effort farmers put into tea production, they are unable to break even.
“It is sad that after all the hours we spend plucking tea, we are left with nothing to take home. If the situation does not improve, I will abandon tea farming altogether and engage in other ventures,” Rotich warned.
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He further called on the government to crack down on what he described as cartels who control the tea sector and manipulate prices at the expense of farmers.
“We know there are cartels who are exploiting us. The government must rein in so that farmers can finally benefit from their sweat,” he added.
On his part, Francis Kikwai, a retired teacher and long-time farmer, expressed his disappointment, saying farmers have endured similar frustrations year after year without any meaningful reforms.
“We have been talking every year about tea prices, but nothing is forthcoming. It is disappointing to complain all the time and nothing is being done. This should be the last year farmers suffer like this,” Kikwai said.
Kikwai also questioned why growers in other tea-producing regions were receiving better payments compared to those in Bomet.
He described the disparity as unfair, saying it had made life unbearable for many families.
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“Why are prices high elsewhere but not in Bomet? This money is too little and cannot sustain us. Farmers cannot survive on such little pay,” he lamented.
The farmers are now demanding urgent action from KTDA and government agencies to review bonus payments, stabilize prices, and shield smallholder growers from exploitation.
They warn that unless the situation changes, many will abandon tea farming — threatening the future of a crop that has long been the backbone of Kenya’s economy.
By Our reporter
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