Former tea officials rubbish annual bonus payment

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with Mr Samson Birgen on his tea farm at Keben village in Belgut constituency, Kericho County, during the three-day tea reforms conference on July 7, 2023. [Gerrishon Mwangi/DPPS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, while addressing tea sector stakeholders recently, said the government will extend support to the sector based on the successful reforms.

"We have succeeded in shaping the tea sector following the dedication of the directors. We only have a problem in the coffee sector where we shall streamline,' said Gachagua.

Ngumba says the increased bonus payment follows exploration of the better markets in foreign countries.

"In the past two years, the farmers have been relieved owing to the better bonus payment and there is a better future," said Ngumba.

Mzee Wallace Kamau from Kiru tea factory says the bonus payment was one of its kind for Kenyan farmers.

"I understand the strength of a dollar has turned round the economy thus the better bonus payment to the tea farmers," said Kamau.

Peter Ngari, a farmer from Embu, said many factories had paid lower than the amount paid in 2016/17 (the best year) at a time when the exchange rate was at Sh102.