NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 30 – The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has dismissed concerns over this year’s reduced bonus, insisting the drop is driven by global market forces and not internal mismanagement.
The agency cited weaker currency movements and depressed international prices as the key factors, noting that the shilling averaged 129 against the dollar in 2025, compared to 144 in 2024.
This, KTDA said, meant farmers earned less in shilling terms even where global prices remained steady.
According to the Agency, average tea prices across factories reflect the downturn.
In the East of Rift Valley, Kiambu recorded Sh371 per kilo, a decline of Sh46, while Murang’a fell to Sh376, Nyeri to Sh388, Kirinyaga to Sh400, Embu to Sh404, and Meru to Sh381.
In the west of Rift, farmers were harder hit, with Kericho fetching Sh245 per kilo, down Sh101; Bomet, Sh209; Nyamira, Sh266; Kisii, Sh246; and Nandi/Vihiga, Sh208, all recording steep drops compared to last year.
“The disparities between East and West Rift payments reflect quality attributes, market dynamics, and cost structures,” KTDA said in a statement.
“Independent producers and plantations outside KTDA have reported similar difficulties, confirming this is not unique to our factories.”
The agency warned against dragging politics into tea payments, saying this would only harm farmers and destabilize factory operations.
KTDA added that it is pursuing orthodox teas for niche markets, value addition, and factory modernization to stabilize farmer incomes in the future.
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