Tea smallholders across Bomet and Kericho counties are digesting the newly released second payment (bonus) declarations for the 2025/2026 financial year. The figures reveal notable disparities in earnings across processing plants in the South Rift region.
According to the rate schedule released for factories across the two counties, Momul Tea Factory in Kericho leads the region by a significant margin, declaring KSh 34.00 per kilogramme.
Following Momul are Kapkatet and Tebesonik tea factories, both setting their bonus rates at KSh 25.00 per kilogramme. Tirgaga Tea Factory registered KSh 22.00 per kg, while Motigo, Oleng, and Chelal factories announced a uniform payout of KSh 20.00 per kg.
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Disparities and Reaction
At the lower end of the regional payout scale, factories including Kapset, Rorok, Mogogo, Boito, and Kobel settled on KSh 16.00 per kilogramme. Kapkoros declared KSh 17.00 per kg, while Litein announced KSh 18.00 per kg. Tegat and Toror both posted KSh 19.00 per kg.
The bonus variations reflect individual factory performance, direct sales contracts, leaf plucking quality standards, and operational overheads incurred throughout the processing year.
While growers affiliated with top-performing factories like Momul celebrate better returns, growers supplying factories at the lower payout bracket have expressed concerns over rising costs of production, fertilizer inputs, and living expenses.
The second payment payouts are expected to be processed directly into farmers’ bank and SACCO accounts ahead of the scheduled payment dates.
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