This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
On October 2, 2019, Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria announced his intention to sue Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) for paying tea farmers a meager bonus this year.
Wa Iria stated that there was no valid reason for KTDA to reduce the tea bonus by more than 30%.
He argued that by moving to the county, the tea agency would be compelled to compensate farmers for the costs they incurred in maintaining the cash crop.
Wa Iria attributed the poor payment to farmers to cartels that have taken control of the tea sector, leading to frustrations among farmers.
“Tea is being sold everywhere and we have not witnessed reduced prices for tea in the market. The question is where the returns from the cash crop are!” he posed.
He suggested that the government should come up with a policy to provide a minimum guaranteed price for cash crops to protect farmers from exploitation by cartels.
Wa Iria also indicated that he would mobilize farmers to reject constitutional amendments that fail to protect their interests.
