Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on tea farmers across the country to remain resilient and not lose faith in the sector despite the ongoing challenges in bonus payments and mismanagement within the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
Speaking during a thanksgiving and fundraising service at the African Gospel Church (AGC) Chemaner in Bomet County, Mudavadi emphasised that Kenya’s economy and the stability of the shilling are deeply anchored in the performance of tea exports.
He said the government, led by President William Ruto, is determined to streamline the sector and ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work.
Mudavadi decried the low bonuses being paid to farmers in several tea-growing regions, noting that poor returns were discouraging farmers and threatening the sustainability of one of Kenya’s most valuable export commodities.
“I am a tea farmer myself. At Mudete Tea Factory where I take my tea, the bonus was Sh10 per kilogramme. The same happened in Kapsabet and Chebut Tea Factories in Nandi. We cannot continue with such low bonuses because we are killing the vision of our tea farmers,” he said.
He appealed to farmers to remain patient and to resist the urge to uproot their tea bushes.
“My clarion call to tea farmers in Bomet, Nandi, and Vihiga is do not uproot your tea. Let us fix the problems, correct the system and hold those responsible accountable. But let us not kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi called for thorough investigations into alleged mismanagement and corruption within KTDA, saying that those involved must be held accountable for their actions.
“If you are destroying the tea sector, you are not just harming the national economy, you are destroying the lives of millions of people who depend on tea for their livelihoods,” he said.
He reminded farmers and factory directors that KTDA, which manages over 70 factories countrywide, remains a key pillar of the national economy and a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings.
“The strength of our shilling is dependent on our tea exports,” he said.
“As farmers, let us ensure that when the time comes to elect our factory directors, we choose people of integrity who can deliver on their mandate. Let us not allow untrustworthy individuals to take charge of our factories.”
Mudavadi reaffirmed his unwavering support for President William Ruto’s leadership and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He said the government is focused on implementing economic reforms that will uplift farmers and stabilize the country’s economy.
“We are firmly behind President Ruto and his agenda for Kenya. He is doing a good job, and I am confident that come 2027, his track record will speak for itself,” said Mudavadi.
He also took time to praise Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Aurelia Rono, describing her as a dedicated public servant whose commitment helped establish the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary from scratch.
“When President Ruto appointed PS Aurelia Rono to head the newly created State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, she started her assignment with only five rooms available for the office and the Office of The Prime Cabinet Secretary. She even coordinated her duties from the corridors as she laid the foundation for the department,” he said.
“She never complained, never waited for perfect conditions, and worked within the means available. That is the true spirit of service and it is an example all of us in public service should emulate.”
He further noted that Rono’s department plays a key role in liaising with the National Treasury, IMF and World Bank to ensure Kenya’s economic relations remain steady.
“Together with PS Kiptoo and others, we are ensuring that our engagements with international financial institutions proceed smoothly, keeping our economy on track in line with the BETA plan,” he said.
Drawing from the day’s sermon based on the story of Esther, Mudavadi likened PS Rono’s humble beginnings to those of the Biblical Esther.
“Never be a prisoner of your past; it was just a lesson, not a life sentence,” he said.
“Like Esther, PS Rono’s humble beginnings have shaped her into the strong and dedicated leader she is today.”
The thanksgiving service brought together Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, PS Aurelia Rono, PSs and other local and national leaders.
