Tea farmers set to benefit from hydro-power project

Gitugi, Gathuthi, Iria-ini and Chinga tea farmers in Othaya constituency are set to benefit after completion of Gura hydro-power project.

Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) national chairman Peter Kanyago said the project will be operational by mid-October this year after installing power meters.

He said that this is a landmark project in the area, and the four factories will benefit with sufficient power and cut cost of energy in tea production.

Kanyago noted the Ksh.1.7 billion hydro-power project will produce 5.8 megawatts and the factory will use 2 megawatts and the rest they will sell to the national grid.
On her side, Othaya lawmaker Mary Wambui embraced the move by KTDA for the hydro-power project and selling of subsidized fertilizer to farmers, noting that this will increase tea production in the area and thus benefitting farmers.

Wambui further advised farmers to spend wisely this year’s annual tea bonus noting that many farmers have the tendency of marrying more wives and abandoning their families soon after the money is paid out.

Wambui said the money should be used to cater for families’ basic needs and paying school fees among other costs.