Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) National Chairman Enos Njeru has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting tea farmers’ interests as preparations intensify for the second payment to growers.
Njeru was among senior officials who attended a meeting at Kilimo House chaired by Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr Paul Rono, bringing together senior management from KTDA, the Tea Board of Kenya and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The meeting focused on the position and preparedness for the second payment to tea farmers, with discussions centred on ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to facilitate a timely and smooth payment.
For Njeru, the discussions represent an important step in ensuring that tea farmers receive the earnings due to them from their produce.
The KTDA chairman has continued to emphasise the importance of placing farmers at the heart of decision-making within the tea sector, particularly at a time when growers are looking for stronger incomes and greater transparency in the management of the industry.
The Kilimo House meeting also considered the President’s directive on the audit and validation of KTDA loans. Discussions examined the framework and modalities for undertaking the process and determining the appropriate action based on its findings.
Njeru reaffirmed KTDA’s willingness to engage with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Tea Board of Kenya and other relevant stakeholders throughout the process.
He said KTDA would continue providing the information required and advocating for measures that protect farmers’ interests, strengthen their incomes and ensure that every effort is made to deliver their rightful earnings from tea.
The chairman’s position underscores the central role of farmer welfare in KTDA’s engagement with government and other stakeholders as the tea sector navigates issues surrounding payments, loans and the overall sustainability of tea farming.
The second payment remains a critical issue for thousands of tea growers who depend on tea earnings to meet household needs, pay school fees, invest in their farms and sustain their livelihoods.
By actively participating in consultations with government and sector regulators, Njeru is positioning KTDA as a key stakeholder in efforts to address issues affecting tea farmers while ensuring that growers’ concerns remain firmly represented in policy and implementation discussions.
The focus on the audit and validation of KTDA loans is equally significant, given the importance of establishing a clear understanding of the agency’s loan position and determining the appropriate way forward based on verified information.
As the process progresses, KTDA is expected to continue working with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Tea Board of Kenya to ensure that the interests of tea growers remain central to decisions affecting the sector.
For Njeru, the guiding principle remains straightforward: farmers must come first.
His emphasis on farmer welfare reflects a leadership approach focused on engagement, accountability and advocacy for growers as stakeholders whose livelihoods are directly tied to the performance and sustainability of Kenya’s tea industry.
As preparations for the second payment continue, KTDA’s message remains clear — every effort must be made to ensure that farmers receive their rightful earnings while broader reforms strengthen the sector for the future.