Farmers urge Tea Board of Kenya to withdraw new levy

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Farmers say that the tea levy will reduce their earnings. [File, Standard]

Tea farmers in Kericho have called on the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) to withdraw the newly introduced 0.8 per cent tea levy.

They said the additional charge will further reduce farmers' earnings at a time when the sector is already facing low returns and rising production costs.

Led by Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, the farmers argued that the levy is an unnecessary burden and urged the regulator to focus on improving tea prices and expanding markets instead of introducing new deductions.