Kenya has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of corruption-riddled Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories to establish how farmers’ funds are being utilised.

Principal Secretary for Agriculture Kipronoh Ronoh said the audit will be undertaken by the Tea Board of Kenya following widespread complaints by farmers over low bonus payments this year.

Speaking at Kericho Technical Training Institute (TTI), Dr Ronoh assured tea farmers that the government remains committed to safeguarding their interests and ensuring transparency in the management of the tea sector.

“As the national government, we have put in place several programmes to support tea farmers. Through these initiatives, by 2032 we project to sell tea at Ksh100 per kilo,” he explained.

The principal secretary noted that the government has already reclaimed the money amounting to Ksh2.7 billion that had earlier been lost through unclear transactions and released to farmers through KTDA.

He also revealed that Ksh2 billion was refunded to farmers for fertiliser, and another Ksh3.7 billion were issued recently, to improve tea factory operations.

However, Ronoh noted that despite the government’s ongoing interventions, challenges continue to persist in the management of KTDA factories, as he expressed concern over the conduct of some factory directors, particularly in the West Rift region, who reportedly held over 165 meetings in a single year, allegedly spending farmers’ funds on unnecessary activities, even as bonus payments to farmers remained disappointingly low

“We are going to audit all the factories through the Tea Board of Kenya to ensure that the loans they took were used appropriately. If we find any misuse of funds, those involved will face the law,” he warned.

Dr Ronoh also revealed that the National Assembly is considering a Bill to enable direct sales of tea, eliminating middlemen, who have long exploited farmers and reduced their earnings.

He further urged farmers to remain patient as the government expands tea markets in China, Europe, Iran, and other regions, which he said would boost tea prices and improve farmers’ incomes.

“Do not uproot tea. The government is working tirelessly, to ensure you get better pay next season,” he appealed.

The principal secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restructuring the tea value chain to make it more transparent, efficient and beneficial to smallholder farmers across the country.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Dominic Cheres and Hillary Kemei