Counties row with tea firms over land rates now boils over

Tea firms in Kericho. The tea firms say the hike in land rates is likely to hurt their business. [Phillip Orwa, Standard]

For years, the export of tea has remained one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners. Last year, the country earned Sh140 billion from the crop, up from the Sh129 billion it earned in 2017.

But despite the impressive earnings attributed to increased export volumes coupled with a stable exchange rate and diversification of markets, the tea industry, especially in Kericho and Bomet counties, is facing turbulence.