Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has issued a stern warning over the looming crisis in Kenya’s tea sector, revealing that the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has been operating on borrowed funds for the past three years. Farmers, she said, have been forced to accept low or delayed bonuses despite reported high export revenues.
Some factories have already been flagged by auctioneers for defaulting on outstanding loans, raising concerns about financial sustainability and the sector’s future. Gathoni criticized Parliament for failing to protect farmers and questioned the proposed Tea Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to introduce additional levies on tea factories.
The MP indicated plans to convene a special meeting with farmers, tea factories, and other stakeholders to hold the government accountable and explore legal avenues to safeguard farmers’ rights. “Nothing will stop the farmer from reclaiming the value of Kenyan tea,” she said, underscoring her commitment to ensuring fair compensation and transparency across the industry.
Gathoni’s intervention follows years of mounting frustration among farmers, many of whom feel marginalized despite Kenya’s position as a leading tea exporter. Her call signals a growing push for reform and heightened scrutiny of how public institutions manage the country’s tea resources.
 has been operating on borrowed funds for the past three years. Farmers, she said, have been forced to accept low or delayed bonuses despite reported high export revenues.){kind=link}