The petitioners argue that farmers operating under comparable conditions could receive significantly different returns depending on their location, the factory receiving their tea and the financial and operational circumstances of the factory.

The meeting also reviewed progress in implementing the EAC E-Commerce Strategy and explored ways to prepare Partner States for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade.

Java House Group chief executive Priscilla Gathungu said the expansion would bring the restaurant brand closer to customers beyond major urban centres.

Mogaka said farmers in his constituency had repeatedly sought answers from their elected leaders over the management of the tea sector and the earnings from their produce.

Mainga said the NLC had also granted Kenya Railways early access to some sections of land to allow construction activities to proceed as negotiations with affected landowners continued.

The new additions, unveiled at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday, October 8, expand the company’s inverter portfolio to capacities ranging from 2.2 kilowatts (kW) to 30kW.

The farmers claim the payments are discriminatory, based on irregular financial calculations and contrary to the Tea Act.

The expansion comes as Kisii continues to strengthen its position as a major commercial centre in the region, driven by agriculture, trade and a growing business community.

Already, the company has spread its operations to Kenya, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola and Cameroon, and is eyeing expansion into Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Togo and Guinea-Conakry.

Mbundi commended China for what he described as longstanding friendship and practical support to the regional bloc, saying the contribution would continue to support the EAC integration agenda.