By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 25 November 2025 - Tea farmers in Nyeri County received a major boost on Wednesday after the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Foundation launched a comprehensive medical camp designed to bring essential healthcare directly to growers who often forego treatment due to demanding farm schedules.
The outreach, held at Wandumbi Dispensary and serving farmers from Gathuthi Tea Factory and neighbouring areas, aims to ensure that the people who power Kenya’s multi-billion–shilling tea sector do not fall through the cracks of the healthcare system.
For many farmers, long hours in the fields, unpredictable weather, and the pressure to meet production cycles mean regular medical check-ups are postponed – sometimes until health problems escalate.
“Our farmers are not statistics. They are families, communities, and the backbone of our economy,” said Catherine Mankura, the chairperson of the KTDA Board’s Health and Wellness Committee.
“Today, we bring healthcare to those who faithfully bring life to our tea sub-sector.”
Farmers attending the camp will access screenings, consultations, treatment, and health education, all free of charge.
“This is a great opportunity for us to undergo a medical checkup. We are always busy attending to our tea plantations and we often forget to seek medical attention or frequent medical checkup. We thank KTDA for this noble initiative,” said Ms Florence Nyambura, a farmer affiliated to Gathuthi Tea Factory.
The services target common but often overlooked conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory issues, and musculoskeletal pain linked to long days spent picking tea.
More from Kenya
Many growers arriving early for check-ups said the initiative had come at the right time, noting that distance and cost often discourage them from seeking medical attention.
KTDA says the farmer-focused medical camp is part of a larger shift in its strategy: placing farmer health and dignity at the core of its operations rather than focusing solely on production output and bonuses.
“Good health is the foundation of productivity. Early detection saves lives; prevention saves families,” Ms Mankura said.
The Foundation emphasised that the outreach is the first of several upcoming health initiatives aimed at strengthening community health systems across tea-growing regions.
More medical camps and wellness programmes are expected in the coming months.
As the camp was officially opened, KTDA leaders expressed confidence that the effort would restore strength, knowledge, and peace of mind to thousands of growers who keep Kenya’s tea industry globally competitive.
