Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating cartels in the tea sector, aiming to increase bonuses for farmers. Speaking at the Kipkelion East Economic Empowerment Engagement in Londiani, Kericho County, Kindiki acknowledged that despite notable growth in the sector over the last two years, farmers received lower bonuses this year. He attributed this to the presence of cartels sabotaging efforts to streamline the industry.
The tea sector has experienced significant growth, with earnings rising from $138 billion in 2023 to $215 billion in 2024. Kindiki emphasized the government’s determination to solidify these gains and intensify the fight against cartels. He drew parallels with the government’s efforts to combat cartels in the sugar sector, promising a relentless fight to ensure farmers receive their rightful earnings.
To improve bonuses, Kindiki outlined key areas of focus, including enhancing governance and transparency in Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories, increasing sales and marketing, and diversifying tea products. He stressed the need for improved transparency in factories and the entire value chain, enabling farmers to access accurate information about the marketing and sales of their tea.
Additionally, Kindiki highlighted the importance of improving the quality of tea processed and adopting higher-yield clones with better demand, which can fetch higher prices in the global market. He also emphasized the need to diversify into specialty tea, which can command higher prices.
In Kericho County, the government has initiated various development projects totaling $16.7 billion, covering affordable housing, hostels, and fresh produce markets. The county has also benefited from the Last Mile Electricity programme, with $1.3 billion allocated to connect over 14,000 new households to power. Stalled road projects, including the crucial Londiani-Hilltop Road, have been revived to improve connectivity and support economic activity.
The government has also secured $8 billion for the construction of the Kericho Teaching and Referral Hospital, which will provide specialized treatment to South Rift residents. Kindiki urged locals to continue enrolling for the universal medical cover, noting that 500,000 people have already registered in the county. The government’s efforts to eliminate cartels and improve the tea sector are expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of tea farmers and the broader economy.