Tea Board Launches Crackdown on Scale Tampering in Bomet

Seven tea factory officials arrested in Konoin as authorities move to protect farmers from alleged manipulation of green-leaf weighing scales

The Tea Board of Kenya has launched a major crackdown on tea factories in Bomet County following complaints of alleged tampering with green-leaf weighing scales, a malpractice suspected of denying farmers millions of kilograms of tea.

Seven officials, including two factory managers, have been arrested in Konoin Sub-County in connection with the alleged manipulation of weighing equipment used to determine the amount of green leaf delivered by farmers.

The arrests followed complaints from tea farmers who raised concerns that some factory officials were allegedly interfering with weighing scales, resulting in farmers receiving payments for less tea than they had actually delivered.

The crackdown is being conducted jointly by the Tea Board of Kenya and officers from the Weights and Measures Department as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard farmers from exploitation.

Konoin Deputy County Commissioner Irine Cheptum said the government was taking the complaints seriously and would not allow unscrupulous individuals to continue exploiting tea farmers.

“We have received complaints from farmers concerning the falsification of weighing records and tampering with weighing scales. We are investigating these allegations and those found culpable will face the law,” Cheptum said.

She warned tea factory officials against interfering with weighing equipment, saying the government would continue conducting inspections until all factories comply with the law.

“We will not lower our guard. We will continue with these inspections to ensure that weighing scales are accurate and that farmers get what they deserve for their produce,” she said.

The deputy county commissioner said manipulation of weighing scales not only amounts to a violation of regulations but also undermines the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder tea farmers who depend on tea as their main source of income.

The arrests have raised fresh concerns over transparency in the tea sector, with farmers calling for regular inspection and calibration of weighing equipment at tea buying centres and factories.

Authorities have urged farmers to report any suspected cases of scale tampering or falsification of weighing records, saying such information would help in identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in the malpractice.

The crackdown is expected to be extended to other tea factories in the county as the authorities seek to ensure that farmers are paid accurately for every kilogramme of green leaf delivered.