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KTDA fights back as government pushes for reforms in tea sector

The Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) has warned state officers and politicians interfering with the smallholder tea factories to desist forthwith and called for the sacking of Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture Kipronoh Ronoh.

The authority said some smallholder tea factories across the country have been experiencing interference from some officers who unilaterally make pronouncements without considering the interest of farmers.

Speaking at a press conference in a Nairobi hotel, KTDA vice chairperson Erick Kipyegon Chepkwony noted that the Principal Secretary State Department for Agriculture Dr Kipronoh Ronoh has removed a “reserve price” by the ministry of Agriculture without consulting KTDA directors leading to decline of tea prices at the Mombasa Tea Auction.

The authority said some government agencies have been calling for impromptu meetings with factory directors of which the cost is borne by farmers.

Chepkwony noted that Ronoh has also called for the separation of satellite factories from the mother factories without considering the interest of farmers. He also warned the chair of the Tea Board of Kenya Jacob Kahiu to stop lying to the Government over KTDA.

The authority also noted that in the past the Government has been interfering with the judicial process by making pronouncements on Michukuru Tea Factory – a case that is still active in court.

The Michukuru Tea Factory case emerged after the factory shareholders held an election on June 29, 2024 and elected a board of directors that a section of shareholders did not agree with the election results.

Gabriel Kagombe, MP for Gatundu South and Director Zone I, said the work of appointing brokers is purely the mandate of the tea factories and not what the PS Agriculture appears to purport.

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Kagombe asked how the government could send the General Service Unit (GSU) Officers to guard the tea factory, which is a private business of tea farmers. “We are just saying whoever did that must apologise to KTDA,” Kagombe said.

He assured whoever took the action that they will not yield to anything. “We are ceding nothing to you. This is an industry with rules and we must use those rules to guide us,’ he said.

John Wasusana, member from Zone 5 said he was shocked about the actions of the state officers adding that the government had no role in tea factories. “The work of appointing brokers is purely the mandate of tea factories,” he said.

He said whenever there is any bad publicity in the media, there is a direct impact on absorption of tea by our international buyers.

“Several tea factories have experienced low absorption of tea in the market due to wrangles and political interference. This has an adverse effect on the earnings of farmers,” he said.

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