Agriculture PS, Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, when he presided over the 28th Graduation Ceremony of Bukura Agricultural College in Kakamega County. PHOTO/UGC.
The political temperature in Kenya’s tea sector has reached boiling point, and at the heart of the crisis stands Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Paul Kiprono Ronoh.
What has transpired over the past few months is nothing short of alarming, Dr Ronoh, who should be a champion of agricultural reform and stability, is now seen by many as a destabilising force, exploiting his position for personal political gain at the expense of the livelihoods of over half a million smallholder tea farmers.
Recent statements from Dr Ronoh have sent shockwaves through Kenya’s tea industry, which has long been a cornerstone of the country’s economy. His public denouncement of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Board is seen not as a call for genuine reform but rather as a thinly veiled attempt to weaken the agency and create a political power vacuum that he can exploit.
Farmers, industry stakeholders, and even experts are now increasingly questioning Dr Ronoh’s motives, which appear to align less with the betterment of the tea sector and more with his reported ambition to contest for the Kericho gubernatorial seat in 2027.
Dr Ronoh’s actions have been nothing short of inflammatory. He has publicly accused KTDA directors of sabotaging government reforms aimed at increasing farmers’ earnings, particularly by blaming them for the uneven and, in some cases, reduced bonus payments. This rhetoric has sent ripples of anger through the farming community, who have called these accusations “reckless and divisive.”
The PS’s statements are not just factually questionable; they are also politically charged, potentially stoking ethnic tensions in a sector that has historically been fragmented along tribal lines.
What is perhaps most troubling is the apparent lack of any concrete evidence to support Dr Ronoh’s claims. His insistence that KTDA is responsible for market volatility, without substantiating these assertions with clear data or a transparent investigation, has raised concerns about his true intentions.
The tea sector is already fraught with challenges, from fluctuating market prices and factory inefficiencies to exploitative middlemen who rob farmers of their rightful earnings. Yet instead of addressing these systemic issues, Dr Ronoh seems determined to create a scapegoat in the form of KTDA, which has long been an institution that empowers farmers and gives them a collective voice.
But there is a darker side to Dr Ronoh’s campaign against KTDA; one that goes beyond mere political posturing. Several farmers have raised serious concerns about a glaring conflict of interest. Dr Ronoh is reported to own a private tea factory that purchases inferior, machine-picked tea, a practice that destabilises the tea market and undermines the sector’s reputation for quality.
Farmers are baffled by how someone in his position can advocate for reforms in the tea sector while running a business that directly contributes to market instability and price volatility.
This is not a trivial matter. The credibility of Kenya’s tea industry hinges on the quality of its products, which is why Kenya’s tea has earned a premium position in global markets.
The PS’s alleged involvement in purchasing substandard tea further complicates the issue and raises serious ethical questions about his suitability to hold a role that should, by all accounts, be focused on ensuring fairness, transparency, and the welfare of tea farmers.
The issue has escalated further with the government’s commissioning of an audit into KTDA’s operations. While audits are necessary to ensure transparency and accountability, farmers have expressed grave concerns that this investigation could be politically motivated.
They fear that a government-driven audit, led by a PS already at odds with KTDA, could be used as a tool to undermine the agency and sow discord among farmers. As they see it, such actions are part of a broader political agenda to weaken the KTDA, which would leave farmers more vulnerable to exploitation by powerful political and business interests.
This raises a fundamental question: Is Dr Ronoh genuinely interested in reforming the tea sector, or is he using his position for personal and political gain? Farmers are asking this question with increasing urgency, as they see the PS’s actions as a direct threat to the fragile gains made in the sector over the past few years.
Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Paul Kiprono Ronoh, during a past event. PHOTO/UGC.
The “Farmers First” reforms championed by KTDA Chairman Mr Chege Kirundi have started to make a real difference, particularly in regions like Kericho and Murang’a.
These reforms have begun to restore confidence among farmers by enhancing their autonomy and giving them a larger stake in the decision-making processes that affect their livelihoods. But Dr Ronoh’s meddling threatens to derail this progress.
The most immediate flashpoint has been the controversial Ksh 3 per kilogram deduction on bonuses, which the government has attempted to impose. This has caused widespread discontent among farmers, who are now threatening to strike if the deduction goes ahead or if Dr Ronoh’s political interference continues.
In a sector that has suffered from historical mismanagement and market volatility, farmers are adamant that any deductions should not come at the expense of their hard-earned bonuses. They have made it clear that their allegiance lies with KTDA, not with politicians who view the agency as a tool for personal and electoral gain.
Furthermore, Dr Ronoh’s actions threaten Kenya’s standing in global markets. The farmers have called for the reinstatement of critical certifications, including the Rainforest Alliance certification, which ensures that Kenyan tea meets the highest standards of sustainability and quality.
These certifications are vital to maintaining Kenya’s competitive edge in international markets, but political meddling risks undermining these hard-won achievements.
What we are witnessing is a classic case of political overreach, where a government official is using his position not to serve the public good, but to further personal and political ambitions.
The government must intervene before Dr Ronoh’s reckless interference leads to irreparable damage. President William Ruto must take decisive action to restore order and ensure that the future of Kenya’s tea sector is not hijacked by political machinations.
The stakes could not be higher. The tea sector sustains millions of livelihoods and is a key source of foreign exchange for Kenya. It has faced years of challenges, but it has also shown immense resilience.
However, that resilience is now being tested by a PS whose actions threaten to undo all the progress that has been made. If Dr Ronoh’s political scheming is allowed to continue unchecked, it could have catastrophic consequences for Kenya’s tea industry and the millions of Kenyans who depend on it.
Farmers are clear: they will not tolerate any attempts to undermine KTDA’s autonomy or to disrupt the democratic processes that have allowed them to regain control over their livelihoods.
It is time for the government to restore balance, prioritise the welfare of farmers, and remove the political agendas that are so clearly jeopardising the future of the tea sector. Dr Ronoh must either change course or face the consequences of his dangerous political manoeuvring.
