By MKT Reporter
The Principal Secretary of the State Department of Agriculture, Dr. Paul Rono, has instructed the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) to conduct a comprehensive audit of all financial commitments, operations, and assets of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
Speaking at the Toror Factory in Kericho, Dr. Rono emphasized the need for this audit in response to growing calls from tea farmers for greater independence in the management of tea factories.
Many farmers expressed their frustrations during the meeting, holding twigs from tea plantations and advocating for the separation of satellite factories from their parent organisations.
They argued that these satellite factories have matured and should be allowed to operate independently to enhance efficiency and productivity.
This step marks a significant move towards addressing the concerns of the dedicated tea farmers and ensuring the sustainable growth of the tea industry in Kenya.
The PS assured tea farmers that the government will soon address their grievances.
He said that the National Government had injected Sh1.4 billion towards the provision of fertiliser subsidies for tea and maize farmers in the country.
He said that to cushion farmers, the fertiliser subsidy was being sold to farmers at Sh2,500.
The PS added that to improve farmers’ earnings in tea bonuses, KTDA factory management and directors should reduce operational costs and other entities that eat into farmers’ earnings.
“Some factory unit management and directors had their operational costs beyond the ceilings, which negatively affected the second tea payment. These operational costs should be minimal,” the PS said.
