This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
Britain's tea supply is facing a potential shortage after a long-standing land dispute in Kenya escalated. The issue dates back to the 1930s when the Talai clan's land was allegedly stolen by British settlers.
Kericho County Governor Paul Chepkwony has threatened to seize tea farms owned by British settlers unless they pay £15 billion in reparations. The governor claims that the land was taken without the consent of the Talai clan and is now demanding compensation.
According to the governor, if the British government fails to admit that the land was stolen and pay the reparations, he will seize the land forcefully. This could have a significant impact on the tea supply in Britain, which relies heavily on Kenyan tea.
More than 10,000 people have signed an official complaint accusing the UK government of failing to reconcile the colonial injustice. The complaint has been submitted to the United Nations, and a UN special rapporteur is expected to help mediate a settlement.
This is not the first time that the UK government has faced compensation claims from its former colonies. In 2013, the government paid reparations to the victims of the Mau Mau rebellion against colonial rule in Kenya.
