Tensions have been brewing among tea farmers in Murang’a County, leading to calls for investigations into discrepancies surrounding tea bonus payments. Murang’a Members of County Assembly (MCAs) are now urging the Ministry of Agriculture and local county government to address the grievances raised by tea farmers, who are disappointed by the low bonus payments they have received, particularly from certain tea factories. This article delves into the concerns raised by the MCAs, the protests by tea farmers, and the proposed solutions to improve transparency and fairness in the tea industry.
The Promise of Higher Bonus Payments: Tea Farmers’ Disappointment
Murang’a County, one of Kenya’s leading tea-producing regions, has a long history of tea farming, which provides livelihoods for thousands of families. However, in recent years, tea farmers have expressed frustration over low payments, especially after they were promised significantly higher bonuses.
Kanyenya-ini Ward MCA Grace Nduta has been at the forefront of raising these concerns. Speaking during a recent session of the Murang’a County Assembly, Nduta noted that farmers were initially led to believe they would receive substantial bonus payments but were shocked to receive much lower amounts than anticipated. This, she argued, has resulted in widespread discontent among tea farmers, leading to protests in several sub-counties.
“We were promised higher bonuses, but when farmers finally received their payments, the figures were much lower than expected. The tea factory management has not been transparent, and farmers have been left with no choice but to accept these low payments,” Nduta remarked.
Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency in Payment Processes
A key issue raised by Nduta and other MCAs is the lack of transparency in how tea factories determine and announce bonus payments. According to Nduta, some factories delayed the announcement of bonus rates, leaving farmers with little time to negotiate or contest the payments. In the worst cases, farmers were informed of the bonus amounts after the deadline for negotiations had passed, forcing them to accept the lower payments.
One of the most notable protests occurred at the Githambo Tea Factory in Kahuro Sub-county. Here, disgruntled farmers staged demonstrations, suspending the picking of green leaf tea and accusing their factory directors of misappropriating funds meant for bonus payments. Tensions escalated to the point where the local Deputy County Commissioner ordered the temporary closure of the factory, fearing that the angry farmers might resort to burning down the facility.
Nduta pointed out that the delayed announcements of bonus rates by tea factories have placed undue pressure on farmers. Many of these farmers depend on the bonus payments to meet their financial needs, and the lack of timely communication has left them vulnerable and disillusioned.
“Some tea factories delayed the announcement of the bonus amounts beyond the expected timeline. This left farmers with no option but to accept the lower payments. Further, the farmers had been promised substantial bonuses but ended up receiving much lower figures,” Nduta lamented.
The Plight of Tea Farmers Compared to Other Agricultural Sectors
One of the recurring themes in the debate surrounding tea bonus payments is the disparity in how different types of farmers are treated. Nduta drew comparisons between tea farmers and those involved in the cultivation of other cash crops, such as avocados and mangoes, who, in her view, receive better compensation.
“Avocado and mango farmers in the county receive better pay. However, tea farmers who are susceptible to arthritis and other diseases have been neglected,” Nduta explained.
She emphasized that tea farmers often face additional physical challenges, such as arthritis and sharp wounds caused by the tea branches, yet they continue to endure unfair treatment when it comes to payments. This, she argued, has contributed to the growing frustration among farmers, many of whom feel neglected by both the government and tea factory management.
Calls for Digitization and Increased Transparency
Several MCAs have proposed solutions aimed at addressing the challenges faced by tea farmers. Kangari MCA Moses Mirara, for instance, called on the Murang’a County Assembly to intervene and come up with strategies to improve transparency in the tea industry. One of the key suggestions put forward by Mirara was the digitization of tea sales, which he believes would make it easier for farmers to track payments and hold tea factories accountable.
“Since agriculture is a devolved function, the County Assembly should come up with measures that will benefit farmers. It can be asking for quarterly reports from tea factories or challenging them to digitize their sales,” Mirara suggested.
The MCA also pointed out that many farmers are unaware of how much money their tea factories make from the sale of green leaf tea, leaving them in a weak position when it comes to negotiating for better bonuses. By digitizing sales and making this information available to the public, Mirara argued, farmers would have a clearer understanding of their contributions to the industry and would be in a better position to challenge unfair payments.
Mirara further proposed that tea factories should be required to submit quarterly reports to the County Assembly, outlining their sales figures and how much they plan to pay farmers in bonuses. This, he said, would help address the issue of low bonus payments and ensure that tea factories operate transparently.
Legislation for Payments in Foreign Currencies
Another key issue raised during the County Assembly session was the exchange rate at which farmers are paid. Kahumbu MCA Chefman Njoroge urged Members of the National Assembly to pass legislation requiring tea factories that sell produce in foreign currencies, particularly dollars, to pay farmers in the same currency. This, he argued, would protect farmers from unfavorable exchange rates that often reduce the value of their payments.
“MPs should pass legislation requiring all factories that sell farmers’ produce in dollars to pay them in the same currency,” Njoroge stated.
He also encouraged farmers to keep clear records of the dollar value at the time of each sale to factories, allowing them to track payments more effectively and avoid being shortchanged.
Investigations into Low Bonus Payments
Following the MCAs’ debate, the Chairperson of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Committee, Pauline Njeri, was tasked with investigating the matter and presenting a report on why tea farmers in Murang’a County received such low bonus payments. Njeri’s report is expected to provide a detailed analysis of the discrepancies in payments and recommend measures to address the concerns raised by farmers.
The call for investigations comes at a critical time for the tea industry in Murang’a County. With 10 major tea factories operating in the region, the need for transparency and fairness in how bonuses are calculated and paid is more pressing than ever. Notably, the Gacharage Tea Factory paid the highest bonus at a rate of KSh 62.80 per kilo of green leaf delivered, followed by Makomboki (KSh 62.50) and Njunu (KSh 62.20). However, many farmers across the county received much lower amounts, fueling protests and demands for accountability.
Conclusion
The ongoing debate over tea bonus payments in Murang’a County highlights the broader challenges facing the tea industry in Kenya. Farmers, who have long relied on tea as their primary source of income, are increasingly frustrated by low payments, lack of transparency, and delayed announcements by tea factories. The calls by MCAs for investigations, digitization of sales, and legislative reforms aimed at improving fairness in payments reflect the urgent need for reforms in the sector.
As the investigations into bonus payments continue, it remains to be seen whether the concerns of tea farmers will be adequately addressed. However, what is clear is that the tea industry, which plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy, must embrace transparency and fairness if it is to maintain the trust of its farmers and sustain its long-term growth.
