Kenya’s tea sector is under scrutiny as the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock prepares to submit a report on low bonuses and uneven pricing for tea farmers.
The report, expected on Tuesday, follows extensive public hearings where stakeholders highlighted deep frustrations in both East and West Rift tea-growing regions.
Chaired by Tigania West MP John Mutunga, the committee spent the past two weeks consulting with farmers, factory managers, and industry officials.
The team retreated last Thursday to compile its findings and was scheduled to finish drafting the report yesterday, before holding a final adoption meeting today.
The investigation was launched after several MPs from tea-growing areas petitioned the House over unfair pricing and minimal bonuses. The report will examine how tea prices are determined and uncover factors that affect returns for farmers, including value chain costs in different regions.
In the East Rift, counties such as Murang’a, Kiambu, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, and Tharaka Nithi grow tea that generally fetches higher prices than West Rift crops.
The western region, covering Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia, has long complained of lower returns despite producing more tea.
The committee will explore why operational costs are higher in the West and what inefficiencies might be driving these disparities.
A major concern is the KTDA’s current method of grading tea. The agency relies on a traditional sensory approach, commonly called “tongue testing,” to classify quality. West Rift farmers argued this system is subjective and called for a scientific method to ensure fairness.
Representation on the KTDA board is also a key point of contention. West Rift farmers hold five seats on the 12-member board, while Eastern counties with smaller production have more influence.
“The West produces more tea than the East, yet they feel underrepresented. These are issues that need addressing because there is now a serious demand for equal representation, with some calling for separation,” Dr Mutunga told KTDA management during consultations.
Factory classifications drew further criticism. Currently, Class A factories are largely in the East Rift, while the West Rift falls under Classes B and C. Farmers described this as unfair and urged that all factories be treated equally.
KTDA chairman Chege Kirundi warned against any moves that could divide the agency. “There is a need to protect the aggregation of KTDA because without it, it does not exist,” he said.
West Rift factory managers also pointed to the influx of private and multinational firms, which do not pay tea bonuses like local factories. They argued that this undermines fairness and adds to grievances in the sector.
As the committee prepares to present its findings to the National Assembly, farmers and stakeholders await recommendations that could reshape pricing policies, factory operations, and representation in Kenya’s tea industry.
