Political leaders have been urged to refrain from dragging politics into the tea sector and instead focus on safeguarding the interests of tea farmers to enhance productivity and expand market access.
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Chairman Chege Kirundi says the growing politicisation of the sector has slowed its development, with some politicians spreading misleading information that has caused confusion and uncertainty among tea growers.
Kirundi noted that the Tea Amendment Bill, which has generated public debate, is currently before Parliament and has already undergone both the first and second readings, with only the third and final reading remaining before it can be passed into law.
“The first and second readings have already been concluded by Parliament. We are now awaiting the third and final reading, and the final decision lies with Parliament, which has the power to amend the Bill,” Kirundi said.
Addressing the press in Murang’a, the KTDA chair said that tea growers and other stakeholders have already submitted their views to Parliament regarding the proposed amendments.
“Presentations have already been made to Parliament by growers and other interested parties,” he added.
Kirundi criticised politicians who continue to interfere with the sector by issuing statements outside the legislative process, warning that such actions undermine efforts to stabilise and grow the tea industry.
“Matters of law can only be determined by Parliament. I therefore urge Members of Parliament to articulate their views in the August house during the Bill’s third reading,” he said.
Among the contentious proposals in the Bill is the plan to reduce the number of factory directors from six to three per constituency, a move Kirundi strongly opposed, arguing that factory directors play a critical role in overseeing factory operations and representing farmers’ interests at the grassroots level.
Beyond legislation, Kirundi assured farmers that KTDA has put in place strategies to expand markets for value-added tea, including shifting exports from bulk tea to small packets and blended products, which he said would help improve farmers’ earnings.
He acknowledged that the sector faced challenges last year, including delayed fertiliser distribution, depressed rainfall that reduced tea volumes, unfavourable exchange rates, and the loss of key markets such as Iran and Sudan due to geopolitical tensions.
“We had challenges last year which affected payouts, but I want to assure our growers that there is hope that this will be a better year,” Kirundi said.
He revealed that over 104 million kilogrammes of tea stock were carried over from 2024 to 2025, a factor that negatively affected prices, alongside exchange rate fluctuations.
However, Kirundi said KTDA is exploring new markets in Russia and China to absorb excess production and stabilise prices.
On fertiliser supply, he admitted that distribution was delayed last year but assured farmers that systems have been improved.
“Fertiliser for last year is currently being distributed, which is late, but we want to assure growers that this year it will be distributed promptly in June and will not be late,” he said.
Kirundi urged tea farmers to remain focused on quality production, noting that higher-quality tea would translate into better prices and improved sales in both existing and emerging markets.
“Let our growers concentrate on producing quality tea, which will in turn translate into better sales,” he said.
The bill that was passed by the senate in October 2024 and is now being considered by the national assembly proposes, among other things, liberalisation of the tea market, value-added incentives, Direct settlement system (DSS) and governance and accountability reforms.
The proposals are meant to reform the tea industry focusing on transparency, market access and farmer earnings.
By Florence Kinyua
