KTDA dismisses low bonus concerns cites weak currency, low tea demand

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has dismissed concerns over this year’s reduced bonus, insisting the drop is driven by global market forces and not internal mismanagement. The agency cited weaker currency movements and depressed international prices as the key factors, noting that the shilling averaged 129 against the dollar in 2025, compared to 144…

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Tea farmers in their farms/photo courtesy

Boost for smallholder tea farmers as subsidized fertiliser arrives in October

Kenya’s smallholder tea farmers are set for a major boost as nearly 100,000 metric tonnes of subsidized fertilizer procured by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) arrives in the country in October. The shipment, which marks the largest consignment in recent years, is expected to significantly ease input costs and improve yields for thousands of…

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James Omwemo Ombasa, newly elected KTDA vice chair/photo courtesy

New dawn for tea farmers as Ombasa elected KTDA Vice Chair

Tea sector has received new leadership as James Omwemo Ombasa elected as the new Vice Chairman of the Kenya Tea Development Agency Holdings Limited (KTDA) In the election, held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Enashipai Resort & Spa, Ombasa was officially certified by Returning Officer. As a dedicated tea grower, Ombasa’s victory signals strong…

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Stiff encounter looms for KTDA vice chair election after Chepkwony demise

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) vice chairperson vacant position has attracted at least three candidates eyeing one of the most influential positions in the country’s tea industry creating creating a stiff encounter as every candidate eye to win. The position of vice-chairmanship is influential as it oversees operations affecting more than 680,000 small-scale farmers…

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TBK Chief Executive Willy Mutai/photo courtesy

Tea Board calls for tea transport levy waiver, says it eats farmers’ bonuses

The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has asked the Mombasa County government to scrap the Ksh7,000 levy charged on every truck transporting tea to the port city. The board says the fee is eating into farmers’ bonuses and weakening the sector’s competitiveness. TBK Chief Executive Willy Mutai explained that in every 21,000 kilos ferried to…

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Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe have a taste of tea during the launch of International Tea day at Gitugi Tea Factory./photo by John Majau.

Kenya marks 2025 International Tea Day with bold vision for sustainability, market reforms 

The lush, rolling hills of Nyeri were alive with color and celebration as Gitugi Tea Factory played host to the national launch of International Tea Day 2025 on Friday. The event brought together top government officials, sector players, farmers, and international guests, reflecting the growing importance of tea in Kenya’s economy and the bold new…

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Agriculture PS orders investigations into Micii Mikuru Tea Factory

Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Kiprono Rono has ordered investigations into suspected fraud and registration of suspicious companies in the name of Micii Mikuru Tea Factory in Meru County. This follows claims of concerns of misappropriation of funds by the management. This follows protests by farmers after the management declared a bonus payout of Sh….

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Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Paul Ronoh.

All KTDA factories set to be audited, PS Rono says

Principal Secretary (PS) for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Rono, has called for an urgent financial audit of all Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) small-scale tea factories to stem runaway corruption. Speaking while addressing tea farmers at Toror Tea Factory, he said the audits have been necessitated by the standoff between farmers and their boards of management…

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Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh./ Photo courtesy

Govt takes steps to address unsold tea stocks challenges

In response to the growing surplus of unsold tea, the government has implemented decisive measures to address the situation. These actions specifically target smallholder tea factories under the management of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA). This comes after a meeting on August 1, 2024 at the Tea Trade Centre, which included Agriculture Principal Secretary…

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