Over 250 workers jobless as Nakuru-based Tea Factory closed over poor roads

Factory manager Kenneth Ambanya says the shutdown was caused by challenges in transporting tea leaves, as a 24 kilometre stretch of road that partly leads to the factory was rendered impassable.

Residents have called for the immediate upgrade of the road to save their livelihoods.

The gaping gullies lining the Mwangati–Chemusian road are slowly swallowing economic prospects for residents of Kapkembu village in Nakuru County.

The Chemusian Tea Factory lies in ruin after more than three months of a lull owing to the lack of means to move green leaf from the farm to the factory.

"Most of the work was being done by private transporters, na hao transporters because of vehicle maintenance juu ya breakdown waliwithdraw. Sasa tukabaki kwamba tunatumia our own fleet but iliendelea kuharibika mpaka kuvuruta na tractor ikaiwa ngumu zaidi. Hatukuwa na option ingine, kabidi tufunge factory," said Kenneth Ambanya – Manager, Chemusian Tea Factory.

Residents say they now have to transport their tea leaves over long distances to alternative factories.

"Tuanchuna majani chai na kwa saa hii ni shida tuanunua majani yetu, nyingine inaenda Kericho, nyingine inaenda mpaka Olenguruone na saa hizo umeibebeba mbali kilometra nyingi," said David Busienei – Resident, Kapkembu.

Residents say the 24 kilometre stretch of road has been in a dilapidated state for about five years, but the rains in October 2025 worsened the already dire situation. Here, not only the lush green tea plantations are at stake, but also farm produce like potatoes and milk.

"Ukiita lori ya viazi wanakataa na wenye wanakuja wanapima gunia na mia moja, sasa tunabaki na hasara mingi. Maziwa pia tuko nayo lakini gari anakosa ya kuchukua," said Liza Langat – Resident, Kapkembu.

"Hii barabara itaharibika zaidi, tunahangaika sana na tunaona mvua ndio hii inataka kuja. Utusaidie kweli serikali yetu, utengenezee hata kilomita moja," said Nancy Sang – Resident, Kapkembu.

In 2025, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority had advertised a tender for the routine maintenance and spot improvement of the Mwangati–Kapkembu road.

To date, residents are still dodging the gaping gullies that are threatening to cut off the entire ward from any viable economic prospects.