ABSTRACT
Tea is grown in estates mostly owned by multinational companies and smallholder tea producers. This study investigated smallholder tea production and its effects in Konoin, Bomet County in the period 1954 - 2002. The objectives of the study were: To investigate the factors that led to the introduction of tea growing in Konoin, Bomet County; To analyse the effects of smallholder tea production on food crop production and to examine the role of KTDA on the expansion of Smallholder tea production in Konoin, Bomet County from 1954 to 2002. The study was informed by two theories: The Dependency theory and The Articulation of Modes of Production theory. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify the informants with vital information. These included the people who witnessed the introduction of tea growing in Konoin Bomet County. The research tools for the study were interview schedule and observation schedule. Data was collected from farmers, and those practicing tea related activities sampled from the study area. Data analysis entailed corroboration of secondary data with primary data. Finally, data was presented qualitatively. The study established that smallholder tea production impacted adversely on food production as too much land was put under cash crops production. This, therefore made people to rely on the market for purchase of food hence their living standards was compromised. KTDA was also found to have had a positive impact in the development and expansion of smallholder tea production in Konoin, Bomet County.