Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, September 27 said reforms in the tea sub-sector were yielding results as this year’s bonuses are expected to be higher.
The deputy president made the statement after meeting the Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings (KTDA) directors at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.
“The comprehensive reforms we are rolling out in the Tea sub-sector are bearing fruit as farmers will receive higher bonuses this year,” he noted.
Additionally, the DP lauded the outcome of his previous meeting in Kericho and cited that the meetings have been helpful to the tea farmer.
“This is a notable positive outcome from the Tea Subsector stakeholders’ Conference I chaired in Kericho in July this year which provided a much-needed platform to listen to the farmers’ concerns and agree on best interventions to improve their earnings,” he added.
Moreover, he noted that the bonus pay will be one of the highest in recent years. He says that this indicates how important it was to involve all people concerned in the need to modify and improve the tea sector.
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“The pay will be one of the highest in recent years, signifying the importance of stakeholder engagement in the bid to reform the sector,” read the statement.
However, he noted that it was only the beginning, and the farmers will get dues that go hand in hand with their hard work.
Gachagua Role in the Sector
Also, he noted that President William Ruto is keen on better earnings and has mandated him with instituting long-term reforms in the subsector.
“This is because a stable and profitable Tea sub-sector is good for our country as it is one of the leading foreign exchange earners,” he noted.
Further, Gachagua revealed that this year’s export earnings are projected to rise by Ksh12 billion compared to that of last year.
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“This year, as we fully roll out the reforms, we project the tea export earnings to rise to about Ksh150 billion up from Ksh138 billion last year,” he stated.
“We can do better; the factories should diversify and explore Orthodox tea production which fetches higher earnings in international markets.”
Gachagua urged the KTDA directors to remain focused, determined, and to be open to engagement in order to improve farmers’ welfare.
Earlier in the year in a meeting in Bomet, the president had tasked his deputy with the role of streamlining the tea sector.
“That responsibility of tackling brokers and cartels in these sectors will be handled by my Deputy. I know he will deliver because he has a soft spot for the downtrodden and will ensure the job is done,” the President affirmed.
