Local leaders have called on the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to clarify the alleged failure to sell over 100 million kilograms of tea.
The leaders claimed that this unsold stock, valued at approximately Ksh7 billion, has raised concerns among tea farmers and local stakeholders.
Paul Chirchir, the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Kapsoit in Kericho County has been at the forefront of this issue, demanding transparency from KTDA.
"The entire Kericho and Bomet depend on tea," he emphasized.
Chirchir explained that the explanation would go a long way to help farmers in the counties that depend entirely on proceeds from their cash crops.
"I have seen the reaction from the management of KTDA when they were asked about stocks of unsold tea in Mombasa of over 100 million kilograms, equivalent to about Ksh7 billion, which is money that can boost the local economy of Bomet and Kericho. What is the true position?"
Chirchir's concerns are echoed by many in the region who depend heavily on tea farming for their livelihoods.
The MCA's call for KTDA to come clean is rooted in the economic strain that this alleged stockpile has placed on the community and its devolved units.
"We are asking the management of KTDA to come out clearly and tell us whatever they are hiding from the public. We do not take anything that affects a tea farmer for granted," Chirchir pleaded.
The situation has been exacerbated by reports of operational difficulties faced by local tea factories.
"We have seen two factories whose electricity was disconnected after they failed to pay the electricity bill," Chirchir noted.
"Some of them have been unable to operate and buy firewood because they do not have money for operations, so we are asking KTDA for whatever they are hiding."
According to the Ward representative, the impact of these operational challenges cannot be overstated.
The local economy, which heavily relies on the tea industry, is experiencing a ripple effect and therefore it is upon the management of KTDA to give substantial explanations.
Chirchir opined that the failure to sell such a large quantity of tea not only affects the immediate income of tea farmers but also has broader economic implications for the entire region.
"If you have not sold the tea, that's not a mistake. We are saying come out boldly and tell us,” Chirchir remarked.
Lately, the agency has been embroiled in controversy. The agency finds itself in a tough position after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Kenyans at large demanded the resignation of John Chebochok as Director of the Toror Tea Factory after he was elected recently.
This was after a BBC documentary published in February 2023 exposed Chebochok sexually harassing women working at tea farms in Kericho.
