Farmers warned about commercial sex workers ahead of tea bonus

Small-scale tea farmers set to receive their annual tea payments, popularly known as bonus, have been put on high alert over marauding frauds eyeing their money.

Bomet County Commissioner Bernard Leparmarai said beside twilight girls who have trooped to the county, farmers should be wary of thugs out to rob them of their hard-earned cash.

"Rampant theft has been reported and this could be because of the pending annual payment for tea farmers set to receive their money in a week's time.

"Therefore, farmers should tread carefully and not flash their money around because they can be easily be targeted by thugs," warned the county official.

Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Bomet Green Stadium, Mr Leparmarai said security personnel had increased patrols as the payment season for tea farmers is around the corner.

"As security personnel we are on high alert and we'll respond to incidents where farmers are being targeted during the payment season," he said.

The county commissioner said it would be sad for any farmer to lose their tea payment in any way, saying twilight girls had been reported to major centres in Bomet.

"Most farmers forget that January is coming and they will be required to pay school fees. Don't spend all your money enjoying yourselves with women," said Leparmarai.

He further warned that security personnel would not hesitate to arrest farmers found moving around with women.

He also asked women to report husbands who disappear from their homes for drinking sprees during the payment season.

"I hereby ask women to report to the nearest police husbands who leave their homes to squander their newly-earned money, leaving their families and children hungry, for immediate action," said Leparmarai.

The event was attended by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and county assembly members led by Majority Leader Josphat Kirui.

Ruto shared the commissioner's sentiments, saying farmers should not be reckless in their spending.