Fighting for change in Kenya’s Tea Sector - Nyeri Chai Farmer’s Association
Farmers weighing green leaves at a collection centre, photo: Transform Trade/Brian Otieno
The story of Nyeri Chai Farmers Association is a truly inspirational one - this brilliant group of tea growers are working together to transform the whole of Kenya’s smallholder tea industry. Already, they’ve helped raise the green leaf price for every smallholder tea grower in Kenya.
They’re fighting for fairer prices, for gender equality and for better representation as they grow tea that travels across the world – including to the UK.
Below, you can read a short summary of our work together, and learn about the ongoing impact our partnership is having for Kenyan tea farmers.
Starting strong - a landmark legal win
Nyeri Chai Farmers Association (NCFA) was formed in 2015 to give small-scale tea farmers a stronger collective voice. They began working with Transform Trade in 2017. With Transform Trade's support, the association played a key role in demanding fairer policies, contributing to reforms that led to the repeal of the Tea Act and the introduction of new Tea Regulations, including a minimum price for green leaves.
When proposed changes to Green Leaf Sales Agreements were seen as unfair to farmers, Nyeri Chai Farmer’s Assocaiation organised growers to challenge them. After legal action and negotiations by the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Authority (ALFA), farmers secured a revised agreement that was adopted not only for Nyeri, but for all smallholder tea farmers across Kenya.
Their legal battle resulted in a 25% increase in green leaf price for all tea growers in Kenya.
“If I were alone - it would be very difficult for my family and me. The association is our source of strength.”
New skills and a new strategy
Supported by Transform Trade, NCFA leaders have participated in organisational and financial management training to lead a stronger, sustainable organisation.
Smallholder tea farmers completed training in new tea varieties, pest and disease control, safe and best practices in tea production, climate change mitigation and adaptation, fertiliser sourcing and usage, as well as wider training in gender equality, business opportunities, and alternative income sources. Transform Trade have encouraged NCFA to advocate for gender equality in their supply chain, climate change adaptation measures, and systemic power dynamics.
Transform Trade has worked alongside NCFA as they led a participatory process to develop their five-year strategic plan, align their constitution with it and launch it externally.
“With this document (our new five year strategy), I feel that every member, especially a potential member of the Association, will see that we have some direction, and we are not just leading them into the dark”
Elections and profile raising
Transform Trade then supported elections for NCFA’s Board of Directors. This helped tea farmers feel more confident that they own the Association and have a meaningful say in its work.
Members said they are becoming more confident in sharing their views, raising issues they face and challenging their leaders when needed. NCFA also completed media training, with Transform Trade supporting the Association to identify and develop media opportunities. As a result, NCFA representatives have secured and taken part in radio and TV interviews.
Eric Muthee picks tea leaves at a farm in the Kagongo village in Chinga, Othaya, Nyeri County. Photo:Transform Trade/Brian Otieno
Key achievements:
Increased membership from 3,670 farmers in the association, up from 2,734 in early 2024. (UPDATE THIS NUMBER)
Advocated for tea factories to spread tea bonus payments across the year, instead of paying once annually.
Pushed the Kenyan Tea Development Authority to use separate bank accounts for different factories, rather than one shared pool account.
Called for fixed terms for Factory Directors.
Supported NCFA to set up their own website - Nyeri Chai Farmers Association
Asked the County Government to help farmers access new tea varieties.
Pushed for more transparency from KTDA on prices, delivery dates and procurement options.
Developed tea seedling nurseries with varieties farmers want but cannot easily access.
Sourced suitable fertiliser for tea and improved farmers access