The Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) has raised the alarm over increasing criminal activities and land invasions targeting large-scale tea estates, warning of dire consequences for the industry and the economy. The association has called on President William Ruto and security agencies to take decisive action to stem the rising lawlessness.
During a press briefing in Nairobi on Monday, KTGA Chairperson Silas Njibwakale highlighted the illegal occupation of Sitoi Estate, owned by Eastern Produce Kenya Limited (EPK) in Nandi County, and the unlawful harvesting of trees at Sambret Estate in Kericho County. He revealed that criminal gangs plucking tea crops at Sitoi Estate have caused losses exceeding KSh 30 million monthly since August 2024.
The situation has escalated to the extent that the invaders have seized key infrastructure, including the Sitoi Airstrip, vital for estate operations. Njibwakale expressed frustration over the authorities’ slow response, which he said had emboldened the criminal activities. The flouting of court orders has further undermined the rule of law.
“If these organized crime syndicates continue unchecked, the implications for local security, investment, and the rule of law will be catastrophic,” Njibwakale warned.
Eastern Produce Kenya, a subsidiary of the British-based Camellia Plc, is one of the largest tea producers in Kenya. According to EPK Board Chairperson Chris Flowers, the firm plays a critical role in the country’s tea industry as the second-largest seller at the Mombasa Tea Auction.
EPK’s impact extends beyond its tea operations, supporting over 14,000 smallholder farmers in Nandi County. In 2024 alone, EPK paid KSh 3.75 billion to these farmers and sustains over 8,000 employees, contributing KSh 1.4 billion in annual wages. The firm also injects KSh 2 billion annually into community investments and local procurement.
The tea and coffee sectors are vital to Kenya’s economy, accounting for 23% of total exports and supporting over five million livelihoods. However, KTGA has warned that the ongoing invasions threaten the industry’s contributions to tax revenue, foreign exchange earnings, and economic stability.
Njibwakale urged the government to act swiftly, stating, “The failure to curb these illegal activities will have massive economic and social ramifications.”
The tea sub-sector’s role in driving Kenya’s economy and supporting rural livelihoods cannot be overstated, and decisive action is needed to protect it from escalating criminal activities.
