Tea farmers affiliated with Boito Tea Factory in Konoin Sub-County in Bomet County are set to hold a peaceful meeting on October 4 at Boito Market Grounds to discuss the recent release of tea bonus payments, which they claim are unjustifiably low.
In an official notice addressed to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Konoin Police Station, the farmers, under the group concerned Boito Tea farmers, declared their intent to convene in accordance with Articles 33, 36 and 37 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. These articles guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10am and conclude by 4pm.
The organizers say the forum will serve as a platform for tea farmers to air their grievances over the declining bonuses and to seek a way forward in safeguarding their livelihoods.
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“We have watched the value of our tea drop year after year, yet our input costs continue to rise. The recently released bonus is not only lower than expected but also a huge blow to the thousands of farmers who rely on tea as their main source of income,” said Raymond Bii, one of the lead organizers.
They said that the farmers were neither consulted nor informed in advance about the bonus structure.
According to the group, the purpose of the meeting is to demand transparency from those managing the tea value chain, including factory management, KTDA representatives, and political leaders.
They are calling for urgent reforms in the tea sector to ensure farmers are fairly compensated for their hard work.
The organizers have assured the public and authorities that the gathering will be peaceful and non-political.
They are inviting all stakeholders, including local leaders and civil society groups, to attend and take part in finding sustainable solutions for the challenges facing tea farmers in the region.
By Philip Koech
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