Kenya marked International Tea Day celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho County with renewed calls for value addition, youth involvement and reforms aimed at strengthening the tea sector.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe urged Parliament to enact laws banning the export of raw agricultural produce to promote local processing and create jobs for young people. He said value addition through products such as orthodox tea, green tea, purple tea and branded consumer packs would improve farmer earnings and boost Kenya’s competitiveness in global markets.
Kagwe also defended the Tea Levy Regulations 2026, saying the levy would support research, branding, marketing and value addition programmes within the tea industry.
The celebrations brought together tea farmers, factory directors, regulators and industry stakeholders to recognize the sector’s contribution to Kenya’s economy and rural livelihoods. Kenya remains the world’s leading exporter of black CTC tea, with the industry supporting millions of livelihoods directly and indirectly.
KTDA Holdings Chairman Enos Njeru described tea as a lifeline for many Kenyan families, while Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot praised KTDA for ensuring timely green leaf payments to farmers.
The event was attended by Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh, Tea Board of Kenya officials and stakeholders from across the tea value chain.
Some of the moments as captured in pictures
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