Simmering tea storm that refuses to cool, 70 years later

James Finlays Tea Estate in Kericho County which has been sold to Sri Lankans. [Joseph Kipsang, Standard] It was a drink made by the gods for emperors but at times it has been like a "blood" beverage that has left paupers squatting on their own land. It all started when a strange leaf accidentally dropped into a container of hot water before it was served to a Chinese emperor Shen Nung in 2737 BC. His domestic workers had just unwittingly discovered tea, which would give pleasure to British aristocrats but visit misery to millions of Africans. In Kenya, tea came from India. It was first introduced in Limuru in 1903 by G.W. I. Caine. It was first grown commercially in 1918 after a Scotsman, Arnold Butler planted it on his 20-acre farm in Kiambethu in Limuru, 20 miles from Nairobi. Over the years, as its popularity grew in the Kenya colony, becoming a major cash crop, so has the desire to disinherit thousands of Africans from their ancestral land, sometimes leading to open rebellion. One of the most memorable revolts erupted in 1949 when the Nyanza Provincial Commissioner ordered the residents of Kimulot to relinquish 6,500 acres which were occupied by the Kenya Tea Company for Kerenga and Chebwon Estates. He also demanded an additional 10,000 acres in the Sotik area for European tea production. When the landowners protested, the government labelled them illegal residents. Tapsimate arap Borowo symbolised this defiance insisting that he had the right to live on the land, arguing that he had Kipandes (identity cards) issued by the colonialists from 1921 to 1924 showing that he had been living in Kimulot, where he regularly paid taxes. He was unmoved by threats that he would be fined Sh100 or the seizure of his crops saying that he would never abandon the land of his ancestors. Another elder, Kipsoi arap Chemorore also resisted and even though the two twice won criminal cases preferred against them, the government used brute force. Ultimately, on August 1, 1951, the British colonial government awarded Kimulot Tea Company (James Finlay (Kenya) Ltd), a 999-year lease of the Kimulot land, without consent from the owners. This land has since changed hands following the sale of the company by the British to third parties. However, the storm kicked up by the colonialists 73 years ago is still simmering in Kericho, Nairobi, and London. It is now destined to spread to Sri Lanka, following the most recent buyout. This storm in a teacup brings back echoes of the Nandi rebellion inspired by the legendary Orkoiyot Koitalel arap Samoei in 1905, whose killing stiffed the 10-year Nandi revolt. His head, just like the land of his forefathers has not yet been returned by the British. His clan, Talai are still squatters while their land could be occupied by colonial tea farmers.

Simmering tea storm that refuses to cool, 70 years later

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