Thanks for sharing this; I enjoyed being in that experience while reading. I love fresh tea and coffee and drink them daily. I consume unsweetened because I grew up with the aroma of tea and coffee filling the air and never want that savory, fresh aroma or taste diluted! I also have an extensive collection of tea I restock regularly, and I purchase some made in Kenya or Ethiopia. I have recently observed there’s more attention drawn to where or how tea and coffee are sourced. I have sometimes assumed they are marketing rhetoric, that may or may not be accurate (sustainably sourced, supports the community in Africa, etc.).
Thanks for casting some light on the history and the injustice. Excellent writing, as usual :)
It's always fascinating to know how people take their tea and coffee as well as how these things are sometimes ties to our childhood/upbringing. The conversation around how things like tea and coffee are sourced is definitely consequential because in a capitalistic society where money talks, it can also bring about change and you bring about a very relevant point as to if the marketing rhetoric always matches the reality. Thanks for dropping this comment btw, it's sincerely appreciated!
Thanks for sharing Ayo. When I think of tea, it is India that usually comes to mind not Kenya. It is really impressive to learn of the sheer volume that's being exported and realized in foreign earnings.
But as you say, the question is how that commerce can better the livelihoods of the local producers and especially workers. How is it that the average worker is still on 5 dollars in 2022-23? It is the raw tea that's being exported or the tea bags?
Femi, thanks for this insightful and extensive comment. I appreciate you taking the time. My post focused on the British companies but it also appears that besides them, the local multinational companies that make up 60% of the production are also not doing right by tea pickers in terms of compensation as well. $5 a day in 23 is def abysmal!
It certainly should! To be clear, the local resources are definitely ripe for revenue, so I don't believe that's the main issue...I think it has more to do with how that revenue is being distributed and who's get a say. Also, reparations for the evicted & tortured families as well as better wage/treatment condition for tea pickers have to be both a central part of the conversation I reckon.
Matilde, it was such a pleasure to meet you as well as to experience that day at the tea institute with you and your family! And yes, we had no idea there was a deeper narrative but honestly, I am coming to realize that this is usually the case. Thanks for your kind words and kudos, it's encouraging.
Your wedding was amazing! And the added bonus was getting an opportunity to visit the tea institute which inspired this poignant piece that I hope has become an eye-opener to many! Thanks for being the gem that you are.
Great read on an item that plays a central role in social rituals in many communities and across the continent. Tea plantation hoping may just be the next thing on the calendar
Thanks for the feedbck. And yes, that could be an idea...knowing you, you might just start it as a business lol Only, one caveat...tea "farm" :) over the word plantation.
If i had to guess, many Kenyans probably don't know about this but it's not necessarily their fault. I do hope that the more people find out, the more that can be done to give tea farm workers a living wage and also compensation for the families that were tortured and evicted. Also, thanks for leaving a comment, I am looking to hear more from my readers.
There's so much to love in this piece. So many layers. Reading the tea leaves was on point. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, the layers that was my intention. Thanks for leaving a comment, i appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing this; I enjoyed being in that experience while reading. I love fresh tea and coffee and drink them daily. I consume unsweetened because I grew up with the aroma of tea and coffee filling the air and never want that savory, fresh aroma or taste diluted! I also have an extensive collection of tea I restock regularly, and I purchase some made in Kenya or Ethiopia. I have recently observed there’s more attention drawn to where or how tea and coffee are sourced. I have sometimes assumed they are marketing rhetoric, that may or may not be accurate (sustainably sourced, supports the community in Africa, etc.).
Thanks for casting some light on the history and the injustice. Excellent writing, as usual :)
It's always fascinating to know how people take their tea and coffee as well as how these things are sometimes ties to our childhood/upbringing. The conversation around how things like tea and coffee are sourced is definitely consequential because in a capitalistic society where money talks, it can also bring about change and you bring about a very relevant point as to if the marketing rhetoric always matches the reality. Thanks for dropping this comment btw, it's sincerely appreciated!
Thanks for sharing Ayo. When I think of tea, it is India that usually comes to mind not Kenya. It is really impressive to learn of the sheer volume that's being exported and realized in foreign earnings.
But as you say, the question is how that commerce can better the livelihoods of the local producers and especially workers. How is it that the average worker is still on 5 dollars in 2022-23? It is the raw tea that's being exported or the tea bags?
Femi, thanks for this insightful and extensive comment. I appreciate you taking the time. My post focused on the British companies but it also appears that besides them, the local multinational companies that make up 60% of the production are also not doing right by tea pickers in terms of compensation as well. $5 a day in 23 is def abysmal!
This should rekindle people’s hope on local resources that could be further explored for huge revenues to their sources of production.
It certainly should! To be clear, the local resources are definitely ripe for revenue, so I don't believe that's the main issue...I think it has more to do with how that revenue is being distributed and who's get a say. Also, reparations for the evicted & tortured families as well as better wage/treatment condition for tea pickers have to be both a central part of the conversation I reckon.
Fantastic article.
Get a lot more and write a complete book.
Good luck!
Thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it! As for the book, I have a feeling, that's a strong possibility :)
Thank you for going deep and building a narrative that added also to the understanding of those who, like me, were actually there
Matilde (Italy)
Matilde, it was such a pleasure to meet you as well as to experience that day at the tea institute with you and your family! And yes, we had no idea there was a deeper narrative but honestly, I am coming to realize that this is usually the case. Thanks for your kind words and kudos, it's encouraging.
Informative piece. Great job brother✅
Thanks brother!
Thank you for this insight. I pray the tea pickers win their lawsuit and that Kenya is able to push the UK out for good.
So do I....the after effects of colonialism need to be stamped out!
Eye opening, thanks for enlightening!
Thanks Dupsy! Appreciate you taking the time to read bro!
Thanks for this wonderful feedback as well as subscribing :)
Kericho my beautiful home.
This is a tea- spiration story,a perfect light read to enjoy.
Ayo,this is great I look forward for the next post#smart wedding.
Pass by my home for a cup of tea..you've been there before!
Beautiful piece! I love reconnecting to my hometown through your eyes! Thank you for highlighting and raising awareness about tea farm workers.
Your wedding was amazing! And the added bonus was getting an opportunity to visit the tea institute which inspired this poignant piece that I hope has become an eye-opener to many! Thanks for being the gem that you are.
Great read on an item that plays a central role in social rituals in many communities and across the continent. Tea plantation hoping may just be the next thing on the calendar
Thanks for the feedbck. And yes, that could be an idea...knowing you, you might just start it as a business lol Only, one caveat...tea "farm" :) over the word plantation.
Wow! Such a nice and educative piece, Motion. Realizing there's a lot I didn't know about tea farms in Kenya.
If i had to guess, many Kenyans probably don't know about this but it's not necessarily their fault. I do hope that the more people find out, the more that can be done to give tea farm workers a living wage and also compensation for the families that were tortured and evicted. Also, thanks for leaving a comment, I am looking to hear more from my readers.