Githunguri Member of Parliament, MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has raised alarming concerns over the state of Kenya’s tea sector, warning that it is on the brink of collapse unless urgent action is taken by the government.
Wamuchomba, who has been an outspoken advocate for tea farmers, criticized the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), claiming it has been operating on borrowed funds for the past three years.
According to the MP, KTDA even had to borrow money just to pay farmers their low bonuses this year, signaling a deep financial crisis within the sector.
“Some tea factories have already been notified by auctioneers over defaulted loans,” she revealed, highlighting the severe financial strain facing the industry.
The MP also cast doubt on President William Ruto’s recent claims in his State of the Nation Address, where he stated that tea export revenues had increased from Ksh138 billion in 2022 to Ksh215 billion in 2024.
She questioned why, despite the reported increase in tea export revenues, factories are still struggling to pay farmers.
“If the tea export revenue figures reported by President Ruto are accurate, then why are factories unable to pay farmers?” Wamuchomba asked, accusing Parliament of failing to adequately address the plight of Kenyan tea farmers.
In addition to her concerns about KTDA’s financial mismanagement, Wamuchomba criticized the proposed Tea Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to impose a new levy on tea factories. She argued that the bill would only worsen the current challenges faced by the sector.
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“The government is now proposing a new levy on the same factories struggling to survive. This will only add to the burden on farmers and factory owners alike,” she said, describing the bill as another example of mismanagement.
Wamuchomba also shared her frustrations over being sidelined from leading efforts to address the crisis. She revealed that a senior government official had suggested she be arrested for “inciting farmers” after she raised concerns, and that efforts to establish a Coffee and Tea Caucus in Parliament to scrutinize government actions were thwarted to prevent her from taking the chairmanship.
Despite these setbacks, Wamuchomba vowed to continue advocating for the tea sector. “I will soon call a special meeting for the Federation of Tea Farmers, factories, and other stakeholders to voice our concerns and petition the government,” she said.
Wamuchomba drew parallels to the coffee sector, where farmers successfully went to court to stop what they saw as government exploitation under the guise of the DSS (Direct Settlement Scheme). She pledged to do the same for the tea sector if necessary.
“Nothing will stop the farmer from reclaiming the value of Kenyan tea,” she concluded, adding that the government must urgently prioritize transparency and reform in the sector to ensure its survival.
Her remarks come amid growing frustration from tea farmers, particularly in regions like Kisii, where some farmers have reported receiving as little as Ksh6 per kilo in bonuses. This has fueled widespread calls for greater transparency and a complete overhaul of the sector.
By obegi Malack
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