Kericho: Tea farmers suspend harvesting over bonus row

A section of tea farmers supplying their green leaves to the Toror Tea factory in Ainamoi, Kericho County have vowed not to harvest their green leaves until the issues surrounding their bonuses are addressed.

The farmers say they were not contended with the Ksh.25 bonus declared by the board of directors of two tea factories.

One of the farmers, Baigoi Bett said Toror tea factory farmers maintain that their bonuses should be Ksh.41.

Bett termed it unfair for factories to declare the bonuses on average price, saying the same would demoralise many of the farmers.

They vowed not to resume plucking of their tea until they get a clear report concerning their bonuses.

Bett said they will convene a meeting soon to chart the way forward.

He said although they boycotted harvesting their tea for the last two weeks, the strike will continue until all their grievances are addressed.

Tea farmers in Kericho and Bomet counties have been alleging a lack of transparency and fairness in the bonus reward process, claiming some factories seem to receive more favourable rates than others.

Last week saw demonstrations at the Mogogosiek tea factory in which one person was shot dead and two others seriously injured.