The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has lined up a list of activities in November as it celebrates 100 years of its existence and tea production in Kenya.

According to revelations from TBK, 100 years since tea growing started in Kenya, the industry supports over 600,000 farmers and impacts approximately 6.5 million Kenyans, contributing 2% to the national GDP and 4% to agricultural GDP.

“What started in 1903, with the planting of the first tea bush by G.W.L. Caine, has become one of the world’s leading exporter of black tea. Kenyan tea is now a symbol of national pride, shaping cultural, social, and economic dynamics across the country,” TBK states.

In honour of 100 years of tea production, two major events are planned to highlight the historical significance, economic impact, and future prospects of Kenyan tea.

The events include the Heritage Week at Karatina University from November 6 to 8, 2024, and the Kenya Tea Summit from November 15 to 16, 2024, in Mombasa.

The events, under the banner of the Kenya Tea Industry Centenary Celebrations, aim to celebrate the tea industry’s rich legacy, honour its contribution to the nation, and chart its path forward.

The Heritage Week will focus on the cultural, historical, and social aspects of Kenyan tea. During the event, Karatina University will host a series of activities designed to engage the local community, academia, and tea stakeholders in exploring the journey of tea over the past century.

Among the main activities that will take place during the event in Karatina University include tea history exhibition, which entails displaying artefacts, photographs, and key milestones from 1924 to 2024, focusing on the colonial era, post-independence growth, and modern-day achievements.

The Karatina University event will also feature educational tours, tea tasting, workshops and panels and youth outreach.

Educational tours will entail guided field trips to local tea farms to provide participants with firsthand insights into tea cultivation and production processes.

Tea tasting will see participants experience different varieties of Kenyan tea, complemented by a cultural exhibition of traditional tea ceremonies from various communities while workshops will be focused on sustainable farming practices, innovations, and the future of the tea industry, featuring experts, environmentalists, and industry leaders.

Youth outreach will entail activities such as tea recipe competitions, youth debates on tea’s role in environmental conservation, and digital content creation promoting tea.

“Heritage Week aims to showcase tea as more than just a beverage, positioning it as a symbol of national identity and sustainable development,” TBK states.

TBK summit in Mombasa

In Mombasa, the Kenya Tea Summit will bring together key players from across the global tea industry to reflect on Kenya’s 100 years of tea production and strategize for the future. The summit will focus on enhancing tea quality, market competitiveness, and sustainability in the industry.

The summit in Mombasa, which will be officially opened by President William Ruto, will entail a tea industry conference/symposium, which will feature two days of discussions covering topics such as the Evolution of Kenya’s tea industry, climate change, sustainability, and market dynamics.

The summit will also discuss branding strategies, overcoming non-tariff barriers, empowering smallholder farmers and expanding Kenya’s global tea market presence.

It will also feature a showcase of diverse tea products from Kenya and other tea-producing nations, including interactive booths from tea companies, packers, machinery manufacturers, and auxiliary service providers.

The summit will be crowned by a Tea Industry Awards Gala Dinner to celebrate excellence in the tea sector with awards such as Tea Classes Competition, Specialty Tea Competition, Tea Masters Cup and Lifetime Achievement Award.

“The Kenya Tea Centenary Celebrations mark a pivotal moment in the country’s history. As one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, tea plays a crucial role in national development, supporting both devolution and Vision 2030. These celebrations will serve as a platform to recognize tea’s immense contributions to Kenya’s socio-economic fabric, while also focusing on future sustainability and growth,” TBK stated.