Kindiki: We'll deal with tea cartels to improve bonuses

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured tea farmers that the government will intensify its crackdown on cartels blamed for depressed bonuses in the sector, despite overall growth in earnings in recent years.

Speaking during the Kipkelion East Economic Empowerment Engagement in Londiani, Kericho County, on Saturday, Prof. Kindiki said the government would not allow middlemen and cartels to frustrate farmers.

“We have many cartels that are sabotaging efforts to streamline the tea industry. We will not allow them to continue frustrating our farmers. We are sealing loopholes to ensure they are eliminated,” he said.

The DP noted that sector earnings had risen from Sh138 billion in 2023 to Sh215 billion in 2024, a result of reforms implemented by the administration.

However, bonuses to farmers remain lower than expected, which he attributed to exploitation by cartels.

“I am working hard to support the President to fight cartels in this sector because they are hurting our farmers and reaping where they have not sown. The way we fought cartels in the sugar sector, we will apply the same energy, led by the President, to wipe them out in the tea sector and ensure farmers get their rightful earnings,” he added.

Kindiki outlined measures being put in place to improve farmers’ returns, including strengthening governance and transparency in Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories, improving sales and marketing, and diversifying into specialty teas that fetch higher prices.

Going forward, we must improve transparency in factories and across the value chain. Farmers must have access to accurate information on the marketing and sales of their tea. Some factories face governance issues, and this has been part of the problem,” he said.

He further called for better quality tea production and the adoption of high-yield varieties to meet global demand.

“We want to improve the quality of our tea so they can fetch better prices in the global market. We must also diversify into specialty teas that bring in more income,” Kindiki noted.

The Deputy President also highlighted ongoing government projects in Kericho County aimed at boosting local livelihoods.

He said Sh16.7 billion worth of initiatives have been rolled out, including affordable housing, fresh produce markets, and hostels.

In the energy sector, Sh1.3 billion has been allocated under the Last Mile Connectivity Programme to connect 14,000 households to electricity. Kipkelion East Constituency alone has received Sh143 million for new connections.

On infrastructure, stalled projects such as the Londiani–Hilltop Road have been revived to improve connectivity between Kericho and Uasin Gishu counties.

The government has also set aside Sh8 billion for the construction of the Kericho Teaching and Referral Hospital in Londiani, which is expected to ease access to specialised health services for residents of the South Rift region.

Kindiki urged residents to continue enrolling for the Social Health Authority’s universal medical cover, noting that 500,000 people in Kericho had registered against a target of 900,000.

The event was attended by Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, several MPs from the Rift Valley and beyond, President’s aide Farouk Kibet, and members of county assemblies.