The government has unveiled bold plans to revitalise Kenya’s tea sector by placing youth, technology, and value addition at the centre of efforts to target higher earnings and job creation.
Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Rono, said the tea sector must evolve to remain competitive and sustainable amid changing global market dynamics.
In a speech read on his behalf by Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai during the launch of the International Tea Day 2026 commemoration activities at the University of Kabianga, Friday, Rono said the government is keen on positioning the sector for long-term growth.
He said the government is prioritising youth involvement, adoption of modern technology and diversification of tea products to enhance value addition and market access.
The PS revealed that this year’s celebrations, themed “Fostering Growth and Inclusion”, will feature activities aimed at attracting young people into the industry while promoting innovation and sustainability.
“For Kenya, tea is more than a beverage. It is the cornerstone of our economy, a leading foreign exchange earner and a source of livelihoods for millions of farmers, workers and entrepreneurs. This year’s commemoration features a series of strategic build-up activities designed to promote innovation, sustainability and inclusivity within the sector,” PS Rono pointed out.
The build-up activities will also include a national tree-growing initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation and climate resilience, as well as a public forum and expo to further engage stakeholders in shaping the future of the tea industry.
“These include today’s official launch of the Youth Festival; the Tea Innovation Exhibition here at the University of Kabianga; a national tree-growing initiative at Chemamul Primary School will be held on 20 May 2026 to advance environmental conservation and climate resilience; and a public forum on 21 May 2026 at Momul Tea Factory,” said PS Rono.
He added the key highlights; the Youth Festival and Tea Innovations Exhibition will showcase emerging ideas across the tea value chain, including new tea products, digital applications and entrepreneurship ventures targeting the sector.
At the heart of the tea festival will be a high-level panel discussion themed “Brewing the future: Leveraging technology and value addition to unlock youth entrepreneurship in Kenya’s tea sector”.
The dialogue will bring together tea industry players and young innovators with the aim of exploring transformative opportunities within the tea sector.
The discussions during the forum will focus on expanding value addition through the production of speciality teas such as purple, green, white and orthodox varieties as well as diversification into tea-based products, including cosmetics, nutraceuticals and food items, noted the PS.
Stakeholders will also explore how digital tools and automation can improve productivity, enhance quality and boost competitiveness in both local and international markets.
The future of Kenya’s tea industry lies in empowering young people with the skills, technology and opportunities to innovate and create value, noted the PS.
However, Dr. Rono acknowledged that young entrepreneurs continue to face significant hurdles, including limited access to capital, barriers to market entry and the high cost of adopting modern technologies.
To address these challenges, the PS said the government is encouraging partnerships across the public and private sectors as well as closer collaboration between academic institutions and industry players to align skills with market needs.
The festival will also feature career mentorship forums and research presentations by industry professionals and scholars, providing young people with insights into agronomy, agribusiness, scholarships, employment and investment opportunities as well as tea tasting challenges in addition to sports and recreational activities, including the Kipchimchim Group Tournament and fun races to foster community engagement, well-being and teamwork, said Dr. Rono.
The PS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the sector through policies that enhance productivity, expand market access and promote sustainable practices.
He called on stakeholders, including investors, development partners and the media, to support ongoing efforts to reposition Kenyan tea as a premium global product.
Present at the event were the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kabianga, Prof. Eric Koech; Kenya Tea Research Institute (TRI) Director, Lilian Kerio; representatives from FairTrade Africa and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO); tea industry experts; and Kericho County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives docket Mr. John Cheruiyot, among other invited guests.
The International Tea Day is celebrated globally on May 21 to recognise the cultural and economic significance of tea worldwide.
By Sarah Njagi
