Small scale farmers in Bomet yesterday protested the decision by the Tea Board of Kenya to crack down on the illegal sale and buying of green leaves.

The farmers decried the move by TBK to crack down on the sale, commonly known as Mong'irito, saying it will disadvantage their supplement source of income.

"If this move is fully implemented, some of us whose maize crops failed due to the outbreak of the maize lethal necrosis disease would starve," said Joseph Soi, a farmer from Singorwet zone in Bomet central.

Soi said TBK is trying to monopolise the supply of green leaves in the county without considering the situation.

The farmers have been selling their green leaves to private buyers without delivering to KTDA factories.