Tea prices rise at Mombasa auction after court suspends levy

KTDA-managed factories recorded improved prices following the suspension of the contentious tea levy. Mount Kenya factories dominated the top prices, with Mununga leading at Ksh 439 per kilogram. Delayed rains continue to affect tea production, leaving some factories operating below capacity. Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) managed factories sold tea worth Ksh 1,086,258,987.99, weighing 2,835,223…

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National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah PHOTO| courtesy

Tea factory leadership abuse hurts farmers, says Ichung’wah

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has blamed abuse of office by tea factory leaders for uneven payouts to farmers across the sector. The Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) said poor leadership at the factory level is the biggest threat facing the tea industry. In his view, some factories are run by people who lack the skills…

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A worker plucking tea at a farm-Photo|Courtesy

Tea farmers await KTDA second bonus payment for 2025/26

Factory directors are set to review the year’s tea earnings before announcing the payout Farmers are bracing for a bonus shaped by market disruptions and rising costs Last year’s top-paying factories set a benchmark that growers will be watching closely The tea farmers expect their directors to declare bonus payments for the year 2025/2026, after…

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Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking at Kapsara Tea Factory in Trans Nzoia County.-Photo/courtesy

CS Kagwe orders tea factories to reject poor quality leaf

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe has ordered tea factories to reject poor quality green leaf that does not meet the two leaves and a bud standard. The government has allocated Ksh 7.1 billion to modernise tea factories, with Ksh 44.6 million going to Kapsara Tea Factory for a new withering plant. Kagwe said improving leaf quality,…

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Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking at a local radio station. Photo/courtesy

Tea levy will not hurt farmers, Kagwe assures growers

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe says the proposed 0.8% tea levy will be paid by buyers, not farmers, and will not reduce grower earnings. The levy will support farmer payments, research, infrastructure and marketing as Kenya seeks to protect tea through a Geographical Indication. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has said the proposed 0.8% tea…

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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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