Tea factory managers face possible shake-up over farmers’ returns

Managers and directors from the four tea factories from West of Rift and other officials during a meeting chaired by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh on October 13, 2026/XThe government has given four tea factories targets to improve performance and accountability, with possible management changes if they fail to meet the set benchmarks.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Ronoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to work with farmers to change factory management where necessary if agreed measures to improve performance and accountability are not implemented.

Ronoh also said managers could face prosecution if investigations establish corruption, mismanagement or other malpractices in the handling of farmers’ resources.

He was speaking Tuesday in Nairobi after chairing a meeting with managers and directors from four tea factories called by the Ministry of Agriculture following concerns raised by farmers over operational performance and the earnings paid for their tea.

The factories are Kapkoros, Chebut, Litein and Mogogosiek, all in the western tea-growing region.

“The government remains committed to protecting tea farmers’ interests, improving factory performance and ensuring that farmers receive better returns for their produce,” Ronoh said in a statement after the meeting.Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh during the meeting with management of tea factories from West of Rift/X

He said each factory’s situation had been examined individually, with corrective measures agreed upon to address the operational challenges identified.

The measures include reducing operational costs, improving efficiency and strengthening accountability in the management of the factories.

Ronoh stated that the ministry had issued specific directives and implementation timelines to each factory, saying further action would follow if the set targets were not met.

“The factories have been given clear directives and timelines to implement the agreed measures. We expect them to improve their performance and demonstrate accountability in the management of farmers’ resources,” he said.

He added that the government, through the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), would work with farmers to review factory management where necessary if the facilities did not meet the set targets.

The ministry also directed that the SETET project supporting Litein factory be fast-tracked to help address operational challenges.

The intervention comes amid concerns among tea growers over the returns from their produce, particularly the effect of factory operating expenses on the money available to farmers.KTDA chairman Enos Njeru during the meeting/X

Costs such as fuel, salaries, administration and other operational bills affect the revenue available for distribution to growers, making factory efficiency a factor in determining their earnings.

The government’s latest move seeks to support efficient factory operations and ensure that resources are managed in the interests of farmers.

The meeting was attended by Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) national chairman Enos Njeru, TBK CEO Willy Mutai, directors of the four factories and other stakeholders.

The ministry did not disclose the specific performance issues discussed at each factory or provide details of the individual targets and deadlines set for their management teams.

The meeting follows the declaration of tea bonuses, with most factories in the western tea-growing region expected to pay an average of Sh15 per kilogramme.

The proposed changes could place factory managers under pressure to demonstrate improved efficiency and accountability as farmers assess the returns from this year’s tea earnings.