Security officers have arrested several tea factory clerks in Konoin, Bomet county, following complaints by farmers over alleged theft of green leaf and manipulation of weighing scales at tea buying centres.
The arrests followed a directive by Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh, who ordered investigations after farmers raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the weighing of their produce.
A multi-agency team comprising officials from the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), the Weights and Measures Department and the sub-county security team raided tea buying centres in Konoin Subcounty, where they uncovered cases of suspected tampering with weighing equipment.
Those suspected to be engaging in the malpractice were arrested and are expected to face further investigations and possible prosecution.
The operation is part of efforts to protect tea farmers from losses arising from manipulation of weighing machines and other practices that deny them payment for the full quantity of green leaf delivered.
“Such practices must stop. Every kilogramme of green leaf delivered by a farmer matters, and no farmer should lose their rightful earnings through manipulation of weighing equipment,” TBK CEO Willy Mutai said.
The board said it would continue working with security agencies and other relevant government departments to strengthen compliance and protect farmers.
“At TBK, the farmer remains our number one priority,” the board said, adding that it would continue to uphold transparency in the tea value chain and safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s tea industry.
The alleged malpractice has raised concern over potential losses to farmers, particularly where deductions are made repeatedly over a long period.
Officials said the investigations would establish the extent of the alleged theft and determine whether more people were involved.
The crackdown also comes as the government steps up efforts to address concerns raised by tea farmers over the handling, weighing and payment of green leaf.
It echoes earlier warnings by the PS that corruption in the tea sector extends to the grassroots level, including officials responsible for weighing farmers’ green leaf.
“Corruption begins at the top all the way to the clerks weighing the tea,” Ronoh said, as he called for tighter controls to ensure farmers receive the full value of their produce.
Farmers have also been encouraged to report suspected manipulation of weighing equipment and other forms of malpractice to relevant authorities.
The operation in Konoin is expected to serve as a warning to individuals entrusted with handling farmers’ produce against exploiting growers or interfering with weighing systems.
TBK said they would continue monitoring tea buying centres to ensure farmers receive accurate measurements and fair payment for their produce.
