Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has hailed growth witnessed in the tea sector, saying remarkable progress has been achieved in its 100 years of existence.

Kindiki made the comment when he officially opened the Kenyan Tea Centenary Celebrations and Summit in Mombasa County on Friday, November 15, 2024.

The DP said the tea sector is an integral part of the country’s heritage and has contributed immensely to the growth of the economy.

“The Kenyan tea is an integral part of our country’s heritage and liberation history. 100 years since tea growing and production was commercialised, remarkable strides have been made, and the best of Kenyan tea is ahead of us.

“The Kenyan tea is ranked top globally due to its quality, bold flavour and consistency and generates close to Ksh200 billion in foreign exchange earnings annually, accounting for two per cent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Kindiki said in a post on X.

While acknowledging the immense contribution the sector has facilitated as far as economic growth is concerned, Kindiki pointed out what needs to be done in order to enhance its growth even further.

“600 million kilograms of tea are produced in our country every year, and this production will be further enhanced through strategic policy and administrative interventions, including the provision of subsidised fertiliser, to ensure that all stakeholders, and particularly the farmers, receive value from their hard work.

“In the last two years, the government has made available over 180,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser and made it accessible to farmers at a cost of Ksh2,500 per 50-kg bag. This year, the government will spend Ksh2 billion to support the distribution of 97,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser to tea farmers,” he added.

Institutional changes

He also highlighted key institutional changes that are needed in order to enhance the sector.

“The Kenyan tea is a key anchor of our country’s sustainability and environmental conservation. It has also supported the education sector and the rural economy as a major source of income and employment.

“To enhance the performance of the tea sector, legal and institutional reforms are ongoing, and the administration of President William Samoei Ruto will ensure their strict enforcement to safeguard the interests of farmers,” he concluded.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja, Principal Secretaries Kiprono Paul (Agriculture) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health), and John Mutunga (Chairman, Agriculture Committee in the National Assembly) were among the leaders who were present during the official opening of the summit.

Others also present were Alexander Mundigi (Vice Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee), Senators Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), David Wakoli (Bungoma), Beth Syengo (nominated), MPs Ruweida Obo (Lamu East), Githinji Gichimu (Gichugu), and Joseph Cherorot (Kiplelion East).

Kenya Tea Board Chairman Jacob Kahiu and Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) Chairman Enos Njeru were among the stakeholders in the tea sector who were in attendance.