Thumaita Tea Farmers Resume Plucking After Successful Negotiations
Tea farmers affiliated with Thumaita Tea Factory will resume plucking and supplying green leaf to the factory starting Tuesday, October 8, 2024, following productive negotiations that addressed a payment stalemate.
The breakthrough came after a meeting involving the Thumaita Tea Factory Board, farmer representatives, leadership from the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK). In a significant step forward, KTDA will submit the factory’s financial records to TBK by October 9, with TBK committing to provide feedback within 30 days.
While a planned special general meeting has been postponed until the completion of the financial review, Thumaita Tea Factory Chairman Engineer Richard Magu urged farmers to cease tea hawking, emphasizing the board’s dedication to their interests. He highlighted the detrimental effects of the boycott on farmers’ earnings.
“We have agreed to resume tea plucking as the matter is being addressed. Tea is our primary source of income,” stated Simon Njagi, a local tea farmer.
John Kariuki, a representative from the Tea Board of Kenya, reassured farmers of ongoing support, stating, “TBK will continue to facilitate dialogue and ensure the tea sector flourishes. We are optimistic that the Thumaita Tea Factory issue will be resolved amicably.”
The Thumaita Tea Factory plays a crucial role in the local economy, providing employment opportunities and significantly contributing to Kenya’s tea industry. The resumption of tea plucking is expected to restore stability and improve farmers’ livelihoods in the region.
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