Kericho farmers boycott tea picking over bonus row

Tegat tea factory farmers have boycotted tea picking over bonus row. [File, Standard] Operations at Tegat/Toror tea factories in Kericho county have been paralysed after the farmers boycotted tea picking to demand bonus increment. More than 10,000 farmers did not deliver their produce to the factories to demand an increment from Sh25 to Sh50 per kilo. Simon Maritim, a tea farmer from Kipsolu, Belgut sub county, said they have been burdened by debts and have given up on the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA). "Every morning we woke up to work in the farm but we don't see the returns, we will continue boycotting plucking until the directors address our grievances," Maritim said. Maureen Koech said they were not contend with the Sh25 bonus declared by the board of directors of the two tea factories. "It is disheartening as some of us are servicing loans and paying school fees, the directors are joking, How come other factories like Momul are paying Sh50.30 per kilo ?" Posed KoechShe said last year they were paid Sh31.50 per kilo. Joseph Bett, a farmer affiliated to Toror Tea Factory, insisted that their bonus should be Sh41. Bett said it is unfair for factories to declare the bonuses on average price. The farmers vowed not to resume tea plucking until they get a clear report on their bonus. Bett said they will convene a meeting soon to chart the way forward. He declared that they boycotted harvesting tea for the last two weeks and the strike will continue until their grievances are addressed.But last week Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh held a consultative meeting with the tea farmers at Toror Tea Factory and assured them that their grievances will be addressed soon. Resolutions passed during the meeting include the factory to open an independent bank account and the management agreed to ensure farmers are actively involved in decision making process and the October payslip will reflect Toror. Others are the land title deed for Toror will be amended to reflect Toror factory and comprehensive audit will be conducted. "We are committed to enhance crop yields and support the livelihood of farmers within the tea industry," the PS said. But KTDA chairman Enos Njeru has reassured the smallholder tea farmers that the figures released by various factories are prepared in compliance with International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards as governed by Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. In a statement on Friday last week the Chairman said the rate for the second payment is based on tea prices, tea volumes as well as the production and operational costs of each factory. Njeru urged the aggrieved farmers to explore various avenues to address their issues. "We urged our farmers to remain calm and raise their concerns with the directors without resorting to destruction of company's property and commit to working with all stakeholders to ensure our successful tea business is protected," he said. Tea farmers in Kericho and Bomet counties have been alleging lack of transparency and fairness in the bonus reward process, claiming that some factories seem to receive more favourable rates than others. Last week, one person was shot dead and others seriously injured during demonstrations at the Mogogosiek tea factory in Konoin sub county.

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