Packed tea ready for dispatch to the Mombasa auction. Photo/courtesy

Mombasa tea auction sales dip as new levy bite

Smallholder tea sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction fell to 128.6 million kg from 138.8 million kg a year earlier. Exporters blame the new Ksh 2.28 per kg tea levy for reducing demand from international buyers. TBK says the levy will fund tea price stabilisation, research and sector infrastructure. Smallholder tea factories sold 128,554,359kgs of…

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Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe-Photo|Courtesy

Kagwe defends tea levy as government bets on value addition

Kagwe defended the Tea Levy, saying it funds tea marketing, research and value addition, not farmers. Tea uptake has risen to 93 per cent, which he said disproves claims the levy has hurt sales. Gov’t handed over a Ksh360 million Sencha tea factory to Kangaita Tea Factory to boost value addition and farmer incomes. Agriculture…

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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (centre) during a development tour at Mudete Tea Factory in Vihiga County. Photo courtesy

Gov’t moves to revive tea sector as KTDA firms up fertiliser transport plan

Gov’t says reforms are underway to tackle high taxes, poor roads, pests, diseases and price volatility affecting tea farmers, while urging continued production. Mudavadi says Mudete Tea Factory serves about 12,000 farmers and has transformed livelihoods, as leaders call for more factories, lower taxes and better rural roads. KTDA has procured 99,000 metric tonnes of…

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TBK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Willy Mutai

Gov’t pushes tea value addition as legislative setbacks stall reform agenda

The government is intensifying efforts to shift the tea industry from bulk exports of raw produce to higher‑value processed and branded products, even as political and legislative hurdles threaten to slow the pace of reform. Speaking at the China‑Africa Forum on Agritech and Industrial Cooperation in Nairobi, Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) Chief Executive Officer…

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agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe speaking during the flagging off of bulk milk coolers for dairy cooperatives at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on May 20, 2026-Photo|Courtesy

Gov’t moves to dispel myths on proposed 0.8pc Tea Levy, assures farmers of protection

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has moved to dispel growing concerns over the proposed tea levy, insisting that farmers will not bear the cost and that all proceeds will be reinvested directly into the industry. Under the draft framework, tea exports will attract a levy of 0.8 per cent of the auction value…

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