Graft claims rock KTDA as MPs call for Ad-Hoc probe committee
This comes ahead of the KTDA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for October 31, 2025 at the Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel in Nairobi.
The leadership of the embattled Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is facing a litmus test ahead of the planned Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for later this month even as legislators drawn from the West of Rift tea growing region are now calling for formation an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate its operation.
They cited alleged corruption and glaring discrepancies in 2025 tea bonuses payment as one of the smoking guns of the claimed rot that continue to impoverish tea farmers over poor prices the precious commodity is fetching despite high global market prices.
This comes ahead of the KTDA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for October 31, 2025 at the Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel in Nairobi.
The Informer Media Group has established that disgruntled members have planned to stage a massive walk-out during the AGM in protest if the leadership led by National Chairman Chege Kirundi fails to address the tea pricing discrepancies.
“We will stage a massive walk-out. We also want to have a resolution to allow other financial entities hold the KTDA’s accounts who can give better incentives to farmers and not restricting the same to a select commercial banks,” Our source intimated.
In a press conference on Wednesday October 8, 2025, the Members of Parliament drawn from tea growing areas from West Rift Valley and led by Brighton Yegon who is the Agriculture and Livestock Committee Vice-Chairperson, condemned the low bonus paid to farmers from the region saying that over 700,00O farmers have been short-changed yet again despite their relentless effort in producing the world’s best tea.
They blamed KTDA management services for failing to control rising costs of production and management, including inflated firewood procurement and staff expenses and manipulation of weighing scales by some field clerks, under pressure from factory managers.
“In Kenya, tea is 2nd foreign exchange earner. Last year alone tea exports were worth Sh215billion and 68 per cent of national tea production is from West of Rift while 32 per cent is from East of Rift. However, tea prices from west of rift are dismal and worth concern,” Yegon said.
The legislators are now demanding the introduction of blind or scientific tea testing at the auction to eliminate bias and guarantee fairness and a balanced representation model at KTDA Holdings claiming that the current one is imbalanced in favor of East of Rift farmers.
“In 2025, we cannot have mouth being the single tasting instrument of products we must move to scientific tasting and to KTDA management, once this Ad-hoc Committee is formed, we will tackle the cartels once and for all,” Kitutu Masaba Mp Clive Gisario said.
“Out of 13 brokerage firms serving Kenya’s tea auction, only one originates from the West of Rift, yet this region contributes 68 per cent of the national tea production. We demand fair representation in brokerage licensing to ensure equitable participation and regional inclusivity in tea marketing. We also demand immediate disbandment of tea trade association and a transparent exercise involving the farmer be put in place,” the statement read in part.
At the same time, they called upon the House Business Committee to prioritise the Tea Amendment Bill that is currently tabled for Second reading in the National Assembly.
Nandi Hills MP Benard Kitur said that the tea from West of Rift are the best worldwide however, its awkward that it receives the worst ratings in Mombasa auction. The Members were drawn from Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Nandi and Nyamira Counties.
