NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 13 – The government has put four tea factories in the western Rift Valley on notice over poor performance, warning that managers could be replaced and those implicated in corruption or mismanagement prosecuted if they fail to implement corrective measures.

📻 Breaking It Down

Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Rono said the government would work with farmers through the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) to institute management changes where necessary, in a move aimed at improving factory efficiency and increasing earnings for tea growers.

The warning followed a meeting convened by the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday, bringing together managers and directors of Kapkoros, Chebut, Litein and Mogogosiek tea factories to review their performance and address concerns over farmers’ returns.

Rono said the four factories had been issued with specific directives and timelines to address shortcomings identified during the review, warning that failure to meet the agreed targets would invite further action.

📌 What You Need to Know

“The factories have been given clear directives and timelines to implement the agreed measures. We expect them to improve their performance and demonstrate accountability in the management of farmers’ resources,” he said.

The government also warned that criminal proceedings would be pursued against individuals found to have engaged in corruption, mismanagement or other malpractices, signalling a tougher approach to the oversight of tea factories.

The intervention comes amid growing concerns over the performance of tea factories and the impact of rising operational costs on the earnings of farmers, whose returns depend partly on how efficiently their produce is processed and marketed.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the ministry assessed each factory separately and agreed on corrective measures targeting operational efficiency, expenditure reduction and stronger accountability in the management of resources.

Factory expenses, including fuel, salaries and administrative costs, have remained key considerations in determining the revenue available for distribution to farmers. The government’s latest review is intended to ensure that excessive expenditure and management inefficiencies do not erode growers’ returns.

The ministry also directed that the SETET project supporting Litein Factory be fast-tracked to help address its operational challenges.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya