By KPC Reporter
Directors of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) West of Rift have called for an urgent investigation into privately owned tea companies allegedly flouting industry laws.
They said this is undercutting smallholder farmers, even as concerns mount over dwindling tea bonuses across the country.
Speaking in Kisumu, KTDA Vice Chairman Omweno Ombasa warned that the rise of “unregulated private companies operating outside the Tea Act” has disrupted the organised KTDA network and contributed to reduced earnings for thousands of farmers.
“Some private companies are buying green leaf without proper registration or oversight,” said Mr Ombasa.
“In doing so, they weaken KTDA factories that have served farmers for decades.”
The directors urged the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) and relevant authorities to act swiftly, saying rogue firms were destabilising the sector and exposing farmers to exploitation.
They also appealed to officials overseeing quality inspections at the Mombasa Tea Auction to review their practice of identifying factory names on reports, arguing it could distort buyer perception and affect fair competition.
The Kisumu meeting comes at a time when many Kenyan smallholder tea farmers are reeling from lower-than-expected bonuses.
KTDA has blamed falling global tea prices, high production costs, and the influx of unregulated buyers for eroding profits.
Robert Kipekemboi, Chairman of Chebut and Kaptumo factories, dismissed recent claims that KTDA board members were receiving excessive allowances as “false and malicious,” stressing the directors’ commitment to prudent use of farmers’ resources.
“Our goal is to stabilise farmer incomes, enhance tea quality, and ensure the sector remains viable for generations to come,” the directors said in their joint statement.