Tea farmers protest over poor returns from their produce

A director of a tea factory has joined farmers in calling for the disbandment of the Kenya Tea Development Agency and reforms in the multi-billion sector.

Hundreds of tea farmers from Kirinyaga County also protested against poor payment of their produce.

Speaking at Kiangai market in Ndia Sub-County on Sunday, the farmers complained that they earn peanuts and cannot be able to pay bills.

Led by the director of Ndima Tea factory John Mithamo, the farmers attributed the poor payments to tea brokers, the high cost of production and huge deductions by KTDA.

“We work hard yet farmers are paid Sh32 per kilogramme of tea or less. Farmers are supposed to be paid Sh100 or more for them to benefit,” said Mr Mithamo, popularly known as Wasusanna.

He accused KTDA, which manages factories on behalf of farmers, of arm-twisting farmers to extend its contract three years before their expiry.

REFORM KTDA

“The contracts were renewed three years before they were due to expire with no consultations or even time for managers of factories to study the document and its implications. It was a case of take it or leave it,” he told farmers as he waved the papers.

Factory leaders also demanded that the recommendations of the taskforce that was set up by the national government to look into problems facing the tea industry be fully implemented to improve their earnings. It was set up by the President.

“If KTDA cannot resolve our issues, it should be disbanded and we sell our produce directly,” said Mr Mithamo.

Politicians vying for different seats also joined farmers at the event.

They included Woman Rep aspirant Wangui Ngirichi who vowed to reform KTDA if elected.