DP Kindiki Assures Tea Farmers of Reforms During Visit to Kericho County

 

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured tea farmers that the Government is firmly committed to addressing the declining bonuses in the tea sector, despite the industry's record-breaking revenue performance last year. Speaking during a resource mobilization event for small businesses in Kipkelion East Constituency, the Deputy President acknowledged the growing frustrations among tea farmers, especially in Kericho County, who are receiving lower bonuses even though Kenya earned KSh 215 billion from tea in 2024, up from KSh 138 billion in 2022.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, DP Kindiki said the Government is already implementing structural reforms aimed at ensuring fairer returns for farmers. He explained that the focus will be on dismantling entrenched cartels, improving governance at the factory level, encouraging the production of higher-quality tea, and diversifying into specialty tea varieties that fetch premium prices in international markets.

“Our tea farmers are the backbone of this economy. It is deeply unfair for them to work so hard, only to receive minimal bonuses, while the sector records historic profits,” said Kindiki. “We are taking decisive action to fix this system, make it more transparent, and ensure that the farmer benefits the most.”

In addition to addressing challenges in the tea industry, the Deputy President highlighted a series of large-scale Government development projects currently underway in Kericho County, valued at KSh 16.6 billion. These initiatives include the construction of affordable housing, modern markets, and institutional accommodation aimed at improving livelihoods, creating jobs, and stimulating rural economies.

He also noted that the rural electrification programme is well on track, with active projects worth KSh 1.3 billion targeting the connection of more than 14,600 households within the next few months. This, he said, was part of the Government’s broader effort to close the rural-urban development gap and deliver essential services to previously underserved communities.

Kindiki further praised Kericho County for its strong participation in the Taifa Care programme, Kenya’s Universal Healthcare initiative. He reported that out of 900,000 residents in the county, over 500,000 have already registered, translating to an impressive 61 percent of the target population. He described this as a major step toward achieving equitable access to quality healthcare across the country.

“Healthcare is not a privilege for the few — it is a right for every Kenyan. We are proud of the progress Kericho is making and call on the remaining residents to enroll as soon as possible,” he urged.

The event, which brought together small business owners and community leaders, also served as a platform to boost economic resilience at the grassroots. The Deputy President underscored the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises, stating that they are a critical pillar of Kenya’s economic transformation.

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. By empowering them, we are directly improving household incomes and creating sustainable livelihoods across the country,” he added.

The high-profile event drew a strong presence of political and administrative leaders from across the Rift Valley and beyond. Among those in attendance were Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, and several Members of Parliament, including Joseph Cherorot (Kipkelion East), Hillary Sigei (Kipkelion West), Nelson Koech (Belgut), Justice Kemei (Sigowet Soin), Alfred Mutai (Kuresoi North), Johanah Ng’eno (Emurua Dikirr), and David Ochieng (Ugenya).

Also present were Woman Representatives Linet Chepkorir (Bomet), Beatrice Kemei (Kericho), Cynthia Muge (Nandi), and Lilian Siyoi (Trans Nzoia), as well as Senators Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Joyce Korir, and Veronica Maina, both nominated senators. The event was also attended by President’s Aide Farouk Kibet, along with Principal Secretaries Dr. Paul Rono (Agriculture), Ann Wang’ombe (Gender and Affirmative Action), Dr. Festus Ng’eno (Environment), Abubakar Hassan (Investment), and Joel Arumonyang (Public Works). Members of the County Assembly and thousands of area residents also participated in the event.

In his concluding remarks, Deputy President Kindiki called for unity of purpose among leaders, emphasizing that development must remain the shared goal beyond political affiliations.

“Let us focus on service delivery. Let us be honest with our people and prioritize their needs. That is how we will transform lives and build a future that every Kenyan is proud of,” he said.

The Deputy President’s visit comes at a critical time as the Government intensifies efforts to implement the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), whose success heavily depends on grassroots empowerment, sectoral reforms, and inclusive infrastructure development.