The first ever co-operative tea factory to be established in South Rift has started operation. The factory, which will use Tilya logo at the Mombasa auction is owned by Mau Tea Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd.

The Sh205 million factory was established late last year. Members contributed Sh63,111,064.43 while the Co-operative Bank gave the cooperative a loan of Sh142 million.

The factory which was formerly owned by former nominated MP Mark Too under the name of Mau Tea Company started processing tea in December 1 last year at time when weather was unfavorable for the cash crop. However with the drought taking a toll order on the crop,the factory managed to process some 300,000kgs of green leaf below its 1,950,000 kgs monthly capacity.

In an effort to reach the monthly processing capacity,the Co-operative Society has recruited some of its 174 out growers members who are expected to be supplying 1,260,000kgs of green leaf per month.

Two former seniour civil servants Ambassador Jushua Terer and former Lands permanent Secretary Joseah Sang are chairman and secretary respectively of the Society which boosts of 48,000 membership drawn from eight constituencies of Kipkelion,Ainamoi,Belgut,Buret,Konoin,Sotik,Chepalungu,Bomet and Kuresoi.