The government has injected Sh3.5 billion to upgrade 19 tea factories across the country in a major boost to the tea subsector.
This is aimed at modernising processing infrastructure, improving efficiency, strengthening governance and enhancing earnings for thousands of smallholder tea farmers.
The investment, alongside a decisive plan by the government to implement the findings of an extensive audit report covering 71 Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories, was announced during the Second National Farmers End-Year Celebrations and Awards at Kiprugut Chumo Stadium in Kericho County, when the Tea Board of Kenya officially submitted the audit report, highlighting recommendations to improve governance, enhance transparency, boost operational efficiency, and safeguard the interests of smallholder tea farmers.
The ceremony was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Wycliffe Oparanya, as the Chief Guest, who announced that milk farmers across the country will begin receiving their pending payments starting next week.
Speaking during the function that brought together thousands of farmers, cooperatives and agribusiness stakeholders from across the country, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture Dr Kiprono Rono said the tea sector reforms are designed to restore confidence in the industry, enhance operational efficiency, strengthen factory management, and guarantee fairness and timely remuneration for smallholder tea farmers, while promoting sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness in the subsector.
Dr Rono further explained that each tea factory will be mandated to operate its own bank account, a measure aimed at ensuring farmers receive timely payments, improving financial accountability within factories, facilitating accurate record-keeping, and enabling the Tea Board of Kenya to closely monitor disbursements and enforce compliance across the tea subsector.
On dairy milk production, Oparanya announced that pending payments to milk farmers across the country will commence next week, a move aimed at settling outstanding balances, boosting farmer liquidity, and supporting the sustainability of the dairy sector, and urged dairy farmers to continue placing their confidence in the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) and supporting its operations to ensure stable markets and long-term growth.
Several principal secretaries also graced the occasion, including Principal Secretary in the State Department for Economic Planning Dr Boniface Makokha Barasa, who highlighted that reforms under the Medium-Term Plan IV have contributed to reducing fertiliser prices from Sh7,500 to Sh2,500, thereby significantly lowering production costs and easing the financial burden for farmers across the country.
Addressing climate resilience, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Irrigation Eng. Ephantus Kimotho emphasised that the government is accelerating irrigation development to cushion farmers against the adverse effects of climate change.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Ms Susan Auma Mang’eni disclosed that disbursement of the NYOTA Fund to beneficiaries will commence on January 7, 2026, while urging farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to capitalise on the Hustler Fund opportunity to access affordable capital, expand their enterprises, enhance value addition, boost productivity, and strengthen rural agribusinesses across the country.
On youth empowerment, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy Mr Fikirini Jacobs explained that the establishment of an official farmers’ registry has strengthened planning and facilitated the equitable distribution of government resources, while encouraging young people to actively venture into agribusiness, adopt modern farming technologies, and participate in value addition and rural enterprise development.
Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Dr Mary Muthoni, emphasised the importance of safeguarding public health, urging Kenyans to be cautious with food and drinks they take during the Christmas season to prevent food poisoning, diarrhoea, and other related illnesses. She also stressed the importance of washing hands regularly, cleaning and washing food thoroughly, maintaining overall cleanliness, and ensuring proper meat inspection to protect both farmers and consumers.
Other leaders present included Kericho Governor Dr Eric Kipkoech Mutai and Kericho County Commissioner Mr Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru.
The awards ceremony recognised outstanding farmers and agribusinesses across various categories, with winners receiving prizes including livestock, farm inputs and certificates of excellence.
Notable recognitions went to the best coffee and poultry producers from Kiambu County, the best rice producers from Kirinyaga County, the best seed growers at Kenya Seed Company, and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for best fertiliser distribution.
The best cattle farmers from Wajir County were also honoured during the ceremony.
In addition, the Joyful Women Organisation (Joywo), founded by the First Lady Mama Rachael Ruto, was awarded for the Best Women’s Organisation Supporting Farmers.
By Kibe Mburu
