South Rift farmers to set up tea auction in protest

A clerk attached to Gitugi Tea Factory in Othaya Nyeri County,sort out the tea leaves at Gitugi Tea Buying Center on August 30,2016.Kenya Tea Development Agency is expected to release the payment rates for the year 2015/2016 tea bonus early next week.PHOTO:KIBATA KIHU/STANDARD

Smallholder tea growers from South Rift region have resolved to stop selling their produce through the Mombasa Tea Auction.

The farmers instead said they would market their tea directly to protest Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) low bonus payments for western region farmers.