Tea farmers now uproot crop due to poor returns, corrupt officials

A farmer plucks tea leaves at Tukiamwana in Kisii County. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

When Samson Momanyi embraced tea farming in Nyacheki, Kisii County, in 1972, he had high expectations, having seen his contemporaries in the tea sector doing well.

Momanyi, 80, who had a young family then, planted tea on seven acres and was excited about the good returns that enabled him to take care of his two wives and children.