Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) to strengthen its collaboration with tea farmers to enhance bonus payments and boost earnings in the sector.
Speaking during the tree planting Day exercise in Vihiga County, Mudavadi said tea remains a major source of livelihood for many families, particularly those affiliated with Mudete Tea Factory.
He noted that in previous years, farmers delivering to Mudete Tea Factory received bonuses ranging between Sh10 and Sh12 per kilogram, while others in different regions earned up to Sh40.
“I urge KTDA to work closely with farmers to ensure fair and improved bonus payments. Tea farming must be made profitable again for the benefit of our hard-working farmers,” said Mudavadi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary emphasised the need for increased transparency and efficiency within the tea value chain, noting that better management and stakeholder engagement would help stabilise farmer earnings.
He further encouraged KTDA and other sector players to embrace modern farming practices, value addition, and market diversification to make Kenyan tea more competitive globally.
Mudavadi reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the tea sector as part of broader efforts to improve agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
By Rose Wasike
