A serious land dispute is currently shaking Kenya’s tea industry, as tension rises between local communities and foreign-owned tea estates in Nandi County. At the heart of the crisis is a standoff involving the Kimasas Cooperative Society and Eastern Produce Kenya (EPK), a company under UK-based Camellia Plc. Members of the cooperative society have taken over 350 acres of land located within the Sitoi Tea Estate, claiming it was officially handed over to them by EPK in 1986. However, EPK insists it only donated 202 acres at the time, not the entire 350 acres now under occupation.
This disagreement has now developed into a much larger issue, sparking national and international attention. It also sheds light on deeper problems linked to land ownership in Kenya, especially lands that were taken during the colonial era. Many local communities have long believed that large foreign estates sit on land that originally belonged to their ancestors, and they are now demanding answers and, in some cases, taking action.
The dispute is sending shockwaves through Kenya’s tea industry, which is the fourth-largest in the world. The industry is very important to the country’s economy, providing jobs and income to almost five million Kenyans. But now, that vital sector is facing serious risks. For example, recent attacks on tea estates owned by Browns Plantations, a Sri Lankan firm, have left many investors worried about the future of their businesses in Kenya. Reports from the Kenya Tea Growers Association confirm that the violence and tension have caused massive financial losses.
The association is now calling for urgent government intervention to resolve these disputes before the situation gets out of hand. Stakeholders in the sector are asking the government to introduce better land policies and clear methods for resolving these types of disputes. They believe this is the only way to restore investor confidence and protect the jobs and income the tea sector provides.
The government has made some efforts in the past to address these long-standing land issues. For example, Kenya’s 2010 constitution introduced land reforms, including shortening the length of land leases and creating the National Land Commission (NLC). But many Kenyans say the NLC has not done enough. Some argue that the process is slow, unclear, and often influenced by politics.
The call for land restitution is getting louder, especially among the youth in Nandi County and other areas. They believe the time has come to correct the mistakes of the past. Legal experts like Joel Kimutai Bosek say that solving these disputes through the courts is difficult and expensive, which is why more people may start using stronger, more aggressive methods if they feel ignored.
This land crisis in Nandi County is not just a local issue—it is a warning to other parts of the country and the entire East African region. As more communities rise to demand their rights, foreign-owned companies in agriculture may need to prepare for similar challenges. The situation also places pressure on the government of President William Ruto to act fast and find long-lasting solutions that respect both investors’ rights and community interests.
In the meantime, the tea sector hangs in the balance. If no steps are taken to reduce the tension, Kenya risks losing both local peace and foreign capital—two things the country desperately needs to grow its economy.
