Tea farmers gloom as more factories announce 'bonus' rate

Boards in more smallholders’ tea factories have approved their second payment rates with reduced bonuses in 65 factories.

The factories under Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) management continue to approve rates that are a far cry from what was paid last year.

Latest approved figures show that Eberege and Ogembo factories in Kisii region will pay Sh12.30 per kilogramme, while farmers in Kiamokama and Rianyamwamu are set to get Sh11.50 per kilogramme of green leaf delivered between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019.

Nyamache and Itumbe farmers are projected to get Sh14.40 while the rate will be Sh20 for Rorok, Kapset, Boito, Kobel, Mogogosiek, Liten, Chelal, Toror and Tegat in the West of the Rift tea growing region.

In Murang’a County with 10 tea factories, Githambo has proposed the lowest bonus payment of 27.75 per kilogramme.

In an analysis, Makomboki, Gacharage and Ngeere factories have proposed payments of Sh36.50, Sh37.10 and Sh37.15 per kilogramme respectively.

KTDA Zone 2 board member Erastus Gakuya said the global trend had affected bonus payment.

Ikumbi factory is paying Sh35.50 per kilogramme while Njunu is at Sh34.40.

In Mt Kenya region, the best factories in bonus payout are Rukiriri (Sh39.20), Mununga (Sh37.50), Ngeere (Sh37.15), Gacharage (Sh37.10), Makomboki (Sh36.50), Kangaita (Sh36.05), Imenti (Sh36).