Kericho: The Government has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of all Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories, to establish how farmers' funds are being utilized. Principal Secretary (PS) for Agriculture, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, stated that the audit will be undertaken through the Tea Board of Kenya, following widespread complaints from farmers over low bonus payments this year.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Ronoh, speaking at Kericho Technical Training Institute (TTI), assured tea farmers that the government remains committed to safeguarding their interests and ensuring transparency in the management of the tea sector. He emphasized the government's efforts, stating, "As the national government, we have put in place several programmes to support tea farmers. Through these initiatives, by 2032 we project to sell tea at Sh100 per kilo."
The PS highlighted that the government had already reclaimed Sh2.7 billion, which had previously been lost through unclear transactions, and released it to farmers via KTDA. Additionally, Sh2 billion was refunded to farmers for fertilizer, and another Sh3.7 billion was recently issued to improve tea factory operations.
Despite these interventions, challenges persist in the management of KTDA factories. Dr. Ronoh expressed concern over the conduct of some factory directors, particularly in the West Rift region, who reportedly held over 165 meetings in a single year, allegedly spending farmers' funds on unnecessary activities, even as bonus payments to farmers remained disappointingly low.
"We are going to audit all the factories through the Tea Board of Kenya, to ensure that the loans they took were used appropriately. If we find any misuse of funds, those involved will face the law," he warned.
Dr. Ronoh also revealed that the National Assembly is considering a Bill to enable direct sales of tea, eliminating middlemen who have long exploited farmers and reduced their earnings. He urged farmers to remain patient as the government expands tea markets in China, Europe, Iran, and other regions, which he said would boost tea prices and improve farmers' incomes.
"Do not uproot tea. The government is working tirelessly, to ensure you get better pay next season," he appealed. The PS reaffirmed the government's commitment to restructuring the tea value chain to make it more transparent, efficient, and beneficial to smallholder farmers across the country.