KTDA to stop buying tea leaves at night

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has suspended buying of green tea leaves during late hours to curb a mass exodus of its farmers to other multi-national tea companies operating in parts of Rift Valley province .

The move follows protests from small-scale farmers over buying of delivered tea leaves at midnight.

Stormy

A stormy meeting held by shareholders and directors at St Peters Catholic Church hall and chaired by chairman of Chebut tea Factory Mr Joshua Choge, resolved that buying of green tea leaves during night hours be suspended.

Tea farmers led by Mr Ernest Saina and KTDA directors Mr John Korir, John Tega and Joel Rotich, told the meeting that farmers were quitting the company due to midnight purchases.

Most farmers protested about their safety and waste of hours as they wait to sell their produce.

Mr Saina cautioned KTDA against using abusive language on farmers and instead speed up buying of tea.