A tragic incident during a tea farmers’ protest in Bomet County left one man dead and several others injured, sparking widespread outrage and demands for accountability. The protest, held by farmers from the Mogogosiek tea factory in Konoin, Bomet, was centered on grievances regarding low tea bonuses paid by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA). As the protest escalated, law enforcement officers responded with what has been described as excessive force, leading to the death of 27-year-old Robert Chepkwony and injuries to others, including 17-year-old Gilbert Kipyegon, who now carries a bullet lodged in his knee.
This incident has raised serious questions about police conduct, the management of protests, and the broader issue of transparency in the tea industry. Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has since petitioned the Senate Committee on National Security to investigate the matter, focusing on the role of the police and the possibility of police brutality. The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also launched an investigation, seeking to establish whether the officer responsible for the fatal shooting should face charges.
The Context of the Protest
Tea farming is the backbone of the economy in many regions of Kenya, including Bomet County. Thousands of small-scale farmers depend on the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to manage the sale of their produce, and bonuses paid by the KTDA are a significant source of income for these farmers. However, in recent years, many farmers have expressed frustration with the system, citing concerns over the transparency and fairness of the bonus distribution process.
The protest at Mogogosiek tea factory was fueled by discontent over fluctuating bonuses, which farmers argue have been consistently lower in Bomet compared to other tea-growing regions. “We work hard every season, but we see little reward for our efforts,” one of the farmers said during the protest. “We want to know why our bonuses fluctuate year after year yet they are high in other regions.”
On the day of the protest, hundreds of farmers gathered at the factory to express their grievances. Their initial demand was simple: they wanted an explanation from the KTDA on why their bonuses were lower than expected. However, as frustrations boiled over, the protest turned violent. Farmers stormed the tea factory, destroying property in the process.
The Tragic Outcome
The response from law enforcement to the unrest has become the subject of intense scrutiny. According to eyewitnesses, security officers deployed to quell the protests resorted to the use of live ammunition. Senator Hillary Sigei, in his petition before the Senate, alleged that the police used excessive force in dispersing the protesters. He specifically highlighted the death of Robert Chepkwony, who was shot and killed during the chaos, as well as the injuries sustained by Japhet Kipkirui Towett, who was shot in the thigh, and Gilbert Kipyegon, who still has a bullet lodged in his knee.
Chepkwony’s death has particularly stirred emotions among the community and his family. Speaking to the media, his brother, Michael Chepkwony, expressed shock and disbelief, stating that Robert was not even part of the protest. “He was at work; he was not part of the demonstrators. In fact, he was standing some kilometers away from where the group was,” Michael said. This version of events stands in stark contrast to the account given by Bomet County Police Commander Edward Imbwaga, who maintains that Chepkwony was among those disrupting peace and actively involved in the protests.
This discrepancy in accounts has only deepened the need for a thorough investigation into the actions of the police that day. Senator Sigei has called for a detailed statement from the Senate Committee on National Security, urging them to provide clarity on whether the police followed proper protocols in handling the protest. The senator has also demanded an update on the investigation into Chepkwony’s death, accountability measures for the officers involved, and information on compensation for the victims and Chepkwony’s family.
The Call for Accountability
The tragic events of September 18 have put the actions of the police under a microscope. The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has already dispatched a team of investigators to Bomet, where they have been collecting witness statements, including those of security officers present during the protest. IPOA is tasked with determining whether the officer responsible for Chepkwony’s death should face charges and ensuring justice for the victims. Additionally, the internal affairs unit of the police force has launched its own probe into the incident.
Senator Sigei’s petition to the Senate reflects broader concerns about police conduct in Kenya, particularly when it comes to handling protests. While law enforcement has the responsibility to maintain order, the use of live ammunition on unarmed protesters raises serious questions about the proportionality of their response. The senator is demanding transparency from the government and the police regarding the events that transpired during the protest and a commitment to ensuring that such incidents are not repeated.
The Senate Committee on National Security will now be tasked with investigating the matter and delivering a comprehensive report. Their findings could have far-reaching implications, not just for the officers involved, but for the way future protests are handled across the country.
The Tea Industry: A Source of Frustration
At the heart of the protests lies a deeper issue: the dissatisfaction of tea farmers with the KTDA. For years, small-scale tea farmers in Kenya have raised concerns about the management of their produce and the distribution of bonuses. The KTDA, which oversees the sale of tea on behalf of these farmers, has been accused of a lack of transparency and fairness in the bonus distribution process.
In Bomet, farmers have complained that their bonuses are significantly lower compared to other regions, despite their hard work. They argue that the KTDA has not provided clear explanations for the discrepancies, leaving them feeling disenfranchised. The September 18 protest was not an isolated event but rather a culmination of years of frustration.
While the KTDA has defended its operations, the agency’s failure to address the concerns of farmers has only intensified tensions. In the aftermath of the protest, the KTDA has remained largely silent, but the demands from farmers for a more transparent and equitable system continue to grow. The events in Bomet could signal a turning point, prompting the KTDA to take a closer look at its operations and the grievances of the farmers it serves.
The Way Forward
The death of Robert Chepkwony has cast a dark shadow over the protest in Bomet, raising serious questions about the conduct of the police and the treatment of citizens exercising their right to protest. The call for justice and accountability from Senator Sigei and the community is growing louder, and the outcome of the investigations by IPOA and the Senate Committee will be closely watched.
In the meantime, the KTDA must also address the root cause of the protest: the dissatisfaction of tea farmers with their bonuses. If the agency fails to take meaningful action, the risk of further unrest remains high. For the farmers of Bomet, the protest was about more than just money—it was about fairness, transparency, and the right to be heard.
The broader question of police conduct in Kenya also looms large. Incidents of police brutality have been reported in various parts of the country, and the use of excessive force against unarmed protesters is a recurring issue. The events in Bomet have reignited the debate on police reform, with many calling for stricter oversight and accountability measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As investigations continue and the Senate prepares to review the case, the family of Robert Chepkwony and the injured protesters await justice. Their story is a stark reminder of the need for a fairer and more just system, not only in the tea industry but in the way the state responds to its citizens’ grievances.
