Editor's Review

“The players in the tea industry have embraced reforms. There has been no resistance," DP Gachagua. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, September 27,  held a meeting with Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) directors regarding ongoing reforms in the tea sub-sector. 

According to Gachagua, the reforms in the tea subsector increased the final bonuses for farmers attached to KTDA factories spread across the country.  

The Deputy President noted that they would push for better pay as the reforms are implemented.

“We are proud that within six months of the reforms, we are restoring sanity and stabilising the Tea Subsector as envisioned under the Kenya Kwanza Plan of putting more money in the pocket of the farmer. This is a direct positive impact to the farmer, who is at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid. We are dignifying the farmer,” Gachagua stated. 

The Deputy President mentioned that the successful implementation of the reforms had been due to cooperation by the KTDA directors since the Tea Conference in Kericho last July. 

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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a meeting with KTDA directors. 

“The players in the tea industry have embraced reforms. There has been no resistance. This is the fruit of embracing reforms. We will support KTDA to the hilt. A factory is as good as its directors. A factory is as successful as its leadership. You have proven through results that you are offering good leadership in the factories. 

“We must push the bonuses even higher in the next five years. That is why we will follow up on implementation of the reforms to the last dot. A review of all legal, policy and regulative frameworks is ongoing for lasting reforms. I thank MPs and Senators for their commitment in supporting the reforms,” he said. 

In this year’s bonuses, Gitugi factory in Nyeri will pay the highest at Sh57 per kilogramme, followed by Imenti in Meru (Sh52 per kilo) and Michimikuru (Sh47/kilo), also in Meru.

Momul tea factory (Sh44.8/kilo) in Kericho was also recognised for consistent higher pay to farmers. Nyankoba factory in Nyamira (Sh35/kilo) recorded the most improved pay this year.