Tea farmers from 10 KTDA-affiliated factories in Murang’a have strongly opposed proposed reforms in the subsector by the ministry of agriculture, claiming the new laws are designed to exploit them and take away their democratic control of the tea sector.

The farmers drawn from Zone 2 and 3 factories, met in Kenol town, after which thy sent a stern warning to Members of Parliament who support the controversial Tea (Amendment) Bill.

The Bill proposes a deduction of Ksh3 per kilo of green leaf delivered to factories and seeks to alter the current management structure of KTDA.

Under the proposal, farmers would elect only three directors, while the government would appoint an additional four directors, effectively giving state-backed appointees leverage in decision-making.

Farmers called the move a direct attempt to snatch away their independence in managing tea affairs.

“We choose our own directors, those who can protect our tea the same way they protect their own,” said Jane Chege from Kanyenyaini Tea Factory.

“These officials the government wants to impose on us are they farmers? Do they know what we go through? Or are they just office managers who are coming to implement policies that will cripple the farmer? We cannot accept this,” she said.

The farmers’ frustration comes barely a month after the announcement of a significantly reduced second payment (bonus), with some factories reporting drops of up to Ksh15 per kilo, worsening household economic strain.

They argue that instead of introducing punitive deductions, the government should address the root causes of low earnings, including market instability and rising production costs.

“We are already suffering because of low bonuses this year. Why should we lose more money again through deductions that we never asked for?” lamented Mwangi Njoka from Gathungururu Tea Factory.

The farmers also rejected the abolition of the Rainforest Alliance Certification, saying it has been instrumental in accessing premium international markets.

“Before the end of the year, we want the Rainforest Alliance reinstated. If the government is not protecting personal interests in it, why bring laws that farmers do not want?” posed yet another farmer.

The farmers urged the Principal Secretary for Agriculture to first review the previous audit report on KTDA reforms before pushing new changes.

The farmers resolved that if parliament passes what they perceive as a punitive Bill, farmers across the country would be mobilized into a “no-plucking” protest, shutting down tea production.

“If they pass that Bill, tea will remain in the farms. Let them not joke with farmers, we are the ones who feed this economy,” a farmer threatened.

They insisted that any future tea reforms must be done with farmers, not on behalf of farmers declaring that tea governance must remain in the hands of the farmer.

“The controversial clauses must be scrapped and we will not relent until that is done” stated Joshua Mwangi from Githambo Tea Factory.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Florence Kinyua