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{
    "id": 1476493,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1476493/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 44,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Konoin, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Brighton Yegon",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the discrepancies in tea farmers’ annual bonuses in some parts of Rift Valley. It has been in the public domain that there exists a stark difference in the amount of bonuses paid to tea farmers in regions situated to the west of Rift Valley namely Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, Nandi, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties. This discrepancy is not only alarming but also raises important questions about equity, fairness and the broader dynamics affecting our agricultural economy. This disparity, which is against the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Dividend Payment Policy, has also caused loss of lives and injuries during the recent protests over the same. On 18th September 2024, one farmer, Mr Robert Kiplangat Chepkwony of ID No. 29863230 was allegedly shot dead by the Kenya Police while peacefully protesting against these punitive bonus rates in Konoin Constituency. It is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock to apprise the House of the following: 1. Steps that the Government is taking to address the concerns of tea farmers on the disproportionately lower bonuses, particularly in the western part of the Rift Valley region compared to other parts of the country. 2. The actions the Ministry is implementing to ensure the use of scientific tea testing rather than using mouth tea testing and perception to determine the quality of tea and hence its pricing. 3. Measures in place to address the punitive and unfair minimum reserved price imposed on only KTDA teas in the tea auction. 4. A brief on the role and contribution of the East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA) as an auction organiser towards the discrepancy in tea prices. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker."
}