Leaders from the South- Rift Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Zone are set to convene on Monday, October 13, for a high-level meeting at Mogogosiek in Bomet County aimed at developing actionable strategies to revitalize the tea sector and enhance farmer earnings.
Organized under the #MesendetMovement, the much-anticipated forum is expected to attract directors and representatives from various KTDA factories across the region.
The discussions will focus on promoting greater accountability, transparency, and sustainability within the tea value chain.
Political leaders expected to attend include Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok, Kericho Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, and several Members of Parliament from Bomet and Kericho counties.
The meeting comes at a time when tea farmers across the South-Rift region have decried low tea bonuses, expressing frustration over poor returns despite high production and global demand for Kenyan tea. Many have called for urgent reforms to ensure that proceeds from tea sales translate into better earnings for growers.
According to the organizers, the meeting will seek to translate ongoing sector reforms into tangible benefits for smallholder farmers. Key topics will include improving factory efficiency, mitigating market fluctuations, boosting tea prices, and strengthening farmers’ cooperatives.
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“The tea sector remains one of the pillars of our economy. This meeting provides an opportunity for leaders to reflect, plan, and come up with realistic solutions that will directly impact the lives of our farmers,” said one of the conveners.
Over the years, tea farmers in the South- Rift have grappled with mismanagement in some factories, delayed payments, and the rising cost of production. Monday’s meeting aims to address these long-standing challenges and establish farmer-centered, results-driven reforms.
Beyond policy discussions, leaders will also review the progress made since the implementation of KTDA reforms and propose new initiatives for marketing, diversification, and value addition to maximize farmer profits. Expanding export markets and improving branding will also be on the agenda.
Organizers emphasized that the meeting will not be “just another talk session” but a decisive forum for setting measurable goals and tracking progress.
With expectations running high among farmers, the South-Rift KTDA Zone meeting is anticipated to set the tone for a new era of unity, collaboration, and strategic leadership in the tea sector.
By Our reporter
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