BOMET, Kenya — Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has called for expanded direct tea sales to foreign markets, saying the approach will secure better earnings for farmers and free them from dependence on middlemen and auction systems.
Speaking during a meeting with tea farmers at Mogogosiek in Konoin Sub-County, Barchok said his administration had successfully secured new markets, notably in Iran, following a sustained campaign for the right of farmers and factories to engage in direct exports.
“I want to assure our farmers that we have ready markets for tea out there in places like Iran, and that is what we have been fighting for all along,” Barchok said.
The governor revealed that Bomet County exported 13 million kilogrammes of tea to Iran last year, marking a major breakthrough for local producers.
He added that the direct-sale initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the region’s agricultural economy and guarantee farmers better and faster payments.
Barchok attributed the milestone to persistent legal and policy efforts against restrictive provisions in the Tea Act, 2020, specifically Section 32(4), which barred direct sales.
The county government, he said, had petitioned the courts to have the clause declared unconstitutional on the grounds that it violated farmers’ economic freedom.
“Our sustained pressure and collaboration with stakeholders have led to regulatory changes allowing factories to engage in direct sales. This is a major win for our farmers,” he said.
The governor noted that his administration will continue working with tea processors, cooperatives, and international partners to ensure that tea stocks currently held at the Mombasa warehouses are exported promptly, enabling farmers to receive their dues on time.
“My administration will work with other stakeholders to find a lasting solution for the tea that has overstayed in our storehouses in Mombasa,” he added.
Governor Barchok maintained that direct trade would enhance transparency, ensure fair pricing, and open new opportunities in international markets, including the Middle East and Asia, positioning Bomet as a hub for premium Kenyan tea exports.
