Farmers blame KTDA for protests over bonus

The Kenya Union of Small Scale Tea Owners has scoffed at claims by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) that protests by its members is a plot to sabotage the agency.

The union officials, led by their chairman Raphael Muhada and vice-chairman Dismas Mbaria, said the protests are a result of the agency treating them like “slaves".

The agency had earlier blamed the demonstrations by tea farmers on county assembly members and individuals eyeing directorship roles.

Speaking to the Nation on Wednesday, Mr Muhada said KTDA failed to pay farmers the agreed bonus despite announcing a record Sh84 billion revenue in the 2015/2016 financial year.

“We agreed on a bonus payment of Sh44.50 during an AGM last year yet some farmers are being paid as low as Sh26. We have tried to make appointments with KTDA to iron out these issues but the officials have refused to talk to us,” said Mr Muhada.

He also alleged that some officials from the agency have colluded with some brokers to "steal" money from tea farmers on the pretext of using the funds to carry out projects that have not been approved by the tea farmers' union.

Mr Mbaria faulted the government, saying it was slow in addressing their woes.

“We are yet to get a concrete response from the (Agriculture) ministry even after writing to them [earlier] this year. They told us of a task force on tea, which was preparing a report to the Cabinet secretary for implementation yet farmers continue to suffer,” Mr Mbaria urged.