By a Correspondent
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), a vital institution that has long been the backbone of Kenya’s tea industry, now finds itself in the midst of a storm
The source of this turmoil? Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS), Dr. Paul Kiprono Ronoh, whose reckless and politically motivated utterances threatens to unravel the sector.
Farmers across the country are increasingly furious, accusing Dr. Ronoh of deliberately destabilising KTDA and using it as a pawn to further his personal political ambitions, particularly his reported intentions to run for the Kericho gubernatorial seat in 2027.
The controversy erupted after Dr. Ronoh publicly lashed out at KTDA’s directors, accusing them of sabotaging government reforms and directly contributing to falling bonus payouts for farmers.
These unsubstantiated claims, made during a speech in Kericho, have done little more than inflame tensions within an already beleaguered tea community.
Far from providing solutions, Dr. Ronoh’s incendiary comments have fuelled a toxic atmosphere of division and suspicion, forcing farmers to accuse him of using the sector’s challenges as a stepping stone for his political aspirations.
In their furious response, farmers have condemned the PS for indulging in “reckless and divisive” rhetoric, warning that his actions are putting the entire tea industry at risk.
They accuse Dr. Ronoh of exploiting regional divisions for his personal gain, leveraging tribal politics to garner support ahead of his anticipated gubernatorial bid.
“The PS’s actions go far beyond the realm of agriculture and into the murky waters of political manipulation,” one irate farmer commented.
“He is playing a dangerous game with the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.”It is a well-established fact that Kenya’s tea sector is already in a fragile state.
Farmers have long suffered from fluctuating prices, inconsistent bonuses, and low-quality tea production, all of which have undermined their earnings.
At a time when reforms are finally beginning to offer a glimmer of hope, Dr. Ronoh’s political interference threatens to push the industry to the brink of collapse.
Farmers have repeatedly called for a focus on genuine industry issues, but Dr. Ronoh seems intent on stirring up unnecessary conflict, distracting from the real challenges facing the sector.
The PS’s recent attacks on KTDA are seen as not only misguided but also a gross overreach of authority. Farmers have insisted that KTDA’s operations and governance belong to them, not to politicians or government appointees.
They have strongly rejected any attempts to politicise or interfere with the organisation’s management.
“The KTDA is a farmers’ institution, and we will not allow anyone to use it as a political playground,” stated one farmer, emphasising that Dr. Ronoh’s role should be to enhance the sector’s growth, not to engage in divisive politicking.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Dr. Ronoh’s behaviour is his failure to address the core issues within the tea sector.
Instead of focusing on key challenges such as the proliferation of tea hawking, the mismanagement of certain tea factories, and the slow erosion of quality standards, the PS has chosen to blame KTDA for the industry’s woes.
Farmers have pointed out that the PS’s approach lacks a fundamental understanding of the complexities facing the tea industry, and they accuse him of using the sector’s problems as a convenient tool for advancing his own agenda.
“His comments about KTDA’s directors are not only unfounded but damaging to the entire tea sector,” said another farmer. “Dr. Ronoh is stirring up unnecessary tension between the farmers and the agency that represents us, all while avoiding the real issues that affect our livelihoods.
“Farmers are particularly aggrieved by the PS’s failure to confront the growing number of loss-making factories in the western regions, which have contributed significantly to the sector’s instability.
Dr. Ronoh’s actions have also raised serious concerns about his own business practices. Several farmers have accused the PS of running a private tea factory that sources inferior, machine-picked tea.
This practice, they argue, is directly contributing to the instability of market prices and damaging Kenya’s reputation as a supplier of premium tea.
“How can Dr. Ronoh lecture us on management when his own business practices are undermining the entire industry?” one farmer asked.
“His hypocrisy is staggering, “The government’s decision to conduct a major audit of KTDA amid complaints about bonuses has only added fuel to the fire.
Farmers have called for any audits to be conducted transparently and within KTDA’s established systems, warning that politically motivated investigations will only serve to erode confidence in the tea sector,
“Politically driven audits will undermine the integrity of our industry,” a group of farmers asserted, “and we cannot afford to have our reputation damaged on the global stage.
“The farmers’ concerns are not just about the integrity of KTDA’s management. They are also deeply worried about the loss of the Rainforest Alliance certification, which is crucial for maintaining Kenya’s position as a global leader in premium tea.
Dr. Ronoh’s actions, they argue, risk jeopardising this certification and potentially causing irreparable damage to Kenya’s tea exports.
The situation is now reaching a critical point. Farmers have warned that if the government proceeds with the proposed Ksh 3 per kilogram deduction, or if Dr. Ronoh continues to interfere in KTDA’s governance, they will be forced to take drastic action, including a nationwide strike.
“We will not sit idly by while our sector is being hijacked for political purposes,” the farmers warned, reaffirming their unwavering support for KTDA chairman Mr. Chege Kirundi and the ongoing “Farmers First” reforms.
At the heart of this crisis lies the simple truth that the tea sector belongs to the farmers, not to politicians like Dr. Ronoh.
His role, farmers have reminded him, is to promote policy, expand markets, and implement genuine reforms, not to divide and destabilise an industry that has already faced too much hardship.
As tensions continue to rise, the farmers are looking to President William Ruto to intervene and restore order, before Dr. Ronoh’s politically motivated agenda does irreparable damage to Kenya’s tea legacy and the millions of livelihoods it sustains.
