Land Invasions Threaten Kenya’s Tea Industry, KTGA Demands Urgent Action
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Photo: Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) Vice Chairperson
Kenneth Odire (left) flanked by Eastern Produce Kenya Director Leah Kibii Chirchir
(second left), KTGA Chief Executive Officer Linda Oluoch (centre) KTGA Chairman
Mr Silas Njibwakale (second right) and Eastern Produce Kenya Chairperson Mr
Christopher Flowers, (right) confer at a media conference where they jointly sounded
the alarm over a series of alarming land invasions and criminal activities targeting
large-scale tea producer estates.
The Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) has raised alarm over escalating land invasions and criminal activities targeting large-scale tea estates in Nandi and Kericho counties. The association is calling for immediate government intervention to protect Kenya’s tea sector, a vital economic driver.
Speaking at an international media briefing in Nairobi, KTGA Chairman Silas Njibwakale highlighted the dire situation at Sitoi Tea Estate in Nandi County, owned by Eastern Produce Kenya Limited (EPK). He revealed that since August 2024, illegal invaders have caused monthly losses exceeding Kshs 30 million by plucking tea crops and occupying estate infrastructure, including the Sitoi Airstrip.
Njibwakale equated the crisis to Zimbabwe’s land invasions and criticized the lack of action by security agencies despite court orders. “These criminal activities undermine local security, the rule of law, and investor confidence. If left unchecked, they will devastate livelihoods and derail economic growth,” he warned.
The KTGA also flagged an attempted raid on Browns East Africa’s Sambret Estate in Kericho County as another alarming example of escalating violence. Njibwakale alleged that organized criminal gangs, with possible political backing, are crippling operations at EPK’s Sitoi Estate, endangering lives and property.
Eastern Produce Kenya Board Chairperson Chris Flowers emphasized the estate’s economic importance. EPK, the second-largest tea seller at the Mombasa Auction, supports over 14,000 smallholder farmers in Nandi County, employs more than 8,000 people during peak operations, and injects over Kshs 2 billion annually into the local economy. In 2024, the company paid Kshs 3.75 billion to farmers and maintained an annual wage bill exceeding Kshs 1.4 billion.
Tea remains one of Kenya’s most critical exports, contributing 23% of total export revenue and supporting over five million livelihoods, including 650,000 farmers.
The KTGA has urged President William Ruto and security agencies to intervene urgently, warning that continued inaction could jeopardize tax revenues, foreign exchange earnings, and Kenya’s global tea reputation.
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