×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Read Offline Anywhere
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Man vs machine: Mechanised tea pluckers remain a thorny issue

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

A tea-plucking machine at James Finlays tea estate in Kericho County. One machine can pluck 400 kilogrammes of tea a day. [File, Standard]

Debate on the use of tea-picking machines continues to rage years after they were introduced in Kenya.

In the recent past, several leaders in Kericho, Nandi and Bomet counties, the major tea producers, have openly opposed mechanisation of the sector, saying it has led to job losses.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.
Fact‑first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in
Sports
Butali and Lakers crowned hockey League champions
Sports
Jack of two trades, master of both: From sporting heroes to business champions
Basketball
Zetech Sparks hold the nerve to edge out Strathmore Swords
Unique Sports
Prisons crowned Japanese Ambassador's Cup champions