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Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has announced plans to accelerate production of orthodox tea processing following its high demand internationally.

Speaking at Githongo and Imenti tea factories in Meru County today, June 15, 2024, the CS said the special tea fetches higher market prices globally compared to the common tea.

“The future of tea is orthodox, so the government is set to fund and support all tea factories across the country to produce the tea,” he noted.

He said that through value addition, the tea will be able to attract more new markets, thereby boosting the economy of the country by double digits.

“Orthodox tea demand continues to go high as it is the most wanted tea in most international nations, so the government will ensure orthodox tea is produced in all factories,” the CS said.

Research shows that Kenya earns Ksh5 billion from orthodox tea, which is only produced by eleven factories in the country.

Linturi lamented that the best tea prices for farmers would be best achieved through value addition and modern farming.

Accompanied by area MP Kirima Gushine, Linturi urged the farmers to work together with the government, noting that the ministry has introduced massive value additions to the cash crop before export.

Tea earnings

He noted that foreign nations are currently earning more from Kenyan tea and coffee by processing the produce through value addition before exporting it to international markets.

“Kenya is the world’s leading exporter of tea, but other countries brand it through value addition, which they sell at a very high price,” Linturi said.

Addressing farmers when he also visited Michimikuru (Tigania East) and Kegoi (Igembe Central) tea factories, he added that the Kenya Kwanza government focuses on value-added agro-processing as the best way to increase farmer’s earnings and stimulate the growth of the country’s economy in the vision 2030.

He added that most tea reforms were hindered and stagnated by cases that were filed by some Kenya Tea Development Authority (KKTDA) directors.

“We have agreed with the director who went to court to withdraw the case and put their political personal interests aside so that we can implement some of the reforms in the Tea Act, which we are sure will greatly benefit the farmers directly and the country,” Linturi said.

He urged Kenyans to be patient with President William Ruto‘s government, noting that agriculture has been given top priority in his bottom-up economy model and calling on them to support it by paying taxes to enable the government to accomplish all developmental projects,” he added.

The former Meru County senator announced at the same time that this month the president will launch the first-ever Kenyan-branded tea that will be among the main exports.

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