Growers at Thumaita Tea Factory want a government refund after delayed fertiliser subsidy reimbursements reduced their annual bonus payments.
Tea farmers at Thumaita Tea Factory in Kirinyaga County are demanding a Kes 117 million refund from the government. The growers blame delayed fertiliser subsidy reimbursements for reduced bonuses and mounting financial pressure.
Factory chairman Richard Magu stated that the facility used money intended for growers to cover outstanding costs because the state failed to remit funds. Senate figures show the government reportedly owes the Kenya Tea Development Agency approximately Kes7 billion.
Farmers also requested promised tea-processing equipment to improve product quality. In September, the government announced a Kes 10 billion allocation for the tea sector to fund subsidies and factory modernisation.
Why it mattersSmallholder tea farmers are affected because delayed government fertiliser reimbursements reduced their bonus payments and strained household finances.
Read in the ASJ desk →