Schools feel pinch as tea firms bleed jobs in Nandi

Boys carry firewood they had collected from Sotik Highlands Tea Estate in the neighbood of Nyamira and Bomet Counties. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Several schools near tea estates in Nandi East have witnessed a decline after multinational tea firms adopted tea plucking machines, occasioning mass lay-offs.

When tea companies intensified use of machines, several workers were laid off, in turn leading to drop of pupil population in schools as parents moved out of Nandi County.

Ministry of Education officials claim the loss of jobs in tea farms has adversely affected the families and forced them to relocate with their children.

The most affected include Kosidagta, Nandi Hills, Kipsamo, Kapchorwa, Kipkoimet, Savani, Taito primary schools among others.

They claim over 5,000 learners are feared to have dropped out of school or been transferred.

Nandi County Education Director Harrison Muriuki said the schools in tea estates have recorded low turnout, while some parents are seeking transfer of their children outside the county.

Koisagat Primary School was temporarily closed down last year when population of pupils dropped from 400 to less than 100.

"This was attributed to Covid-19, which battered the region's economy and people lost jobs. They moved out of the estates and left the schools empty or with fewer learners," Mr Muriuki said.

He said the school resumed operations recently due to public demand, and it has now enrolled over 200 new learners.

The Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) said more than 10,000 jobs have been lost since the tea multinationals adopted tea plucking machines in 2014.

KPAWU chairman Eliakim Ochieng said majority of the population in the tea estates are in neighbouring counties, and they migrated when jobs became limited.

Mr Ochieng said some families relocated to other industrial areas like Kisumu to work in the sugar cane belt.

"It's not only in Nandi, but also the South Rift and central parts of Kenya are facing the same challenges. Over 120,000 people have lost jobs, and we can see the repercussions extending to education and security sectors," he said.

He said the move has also led to rising insecurity cases which have been witnessed in the area is as a result of lack of employment.

Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) Chief Executive officer Apollo Kiarie acknowledged the existence of tea plucking machines, claiming like any other technology, mechanisation has brought disruption, but it will have huge positive impact to the country's economy.

"The machines have opened up other job opportunities and the multinational tea companies employ technicians, machine operators and drivers," said Mr Kiarie.