CS Mutahi Kagwe and Embu governor Cecily Mbarire flagging off the coolers.
By MKT Reporter
Cabinet Secretary Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned political leaders against turning tea prices into a regional or political issue, emphasizing that challenges facing the tea sector are technical, not political.
“Buyers are not forced to buy tea from any specific region. It is their preference. They dictate the type and quality of tea they want,” Kagwe said, adding, “Tea taste issues are not political issues, they are technical issues.”
Kagwe explained that the tea market under KTDA Holdings Limited remains open and competitive, allowing farmers to choose their preferred marketing channels.
“If you feel the prices you are getting are not fair, pursue direct sales. You are free to choose where to sell,” he said, adding, “My job is to ensure tea quality improves across all regions so that farmers can fetch better prices. Let us not politicize tea prices, good prices follow good quality. Two leaves and a bud; that discipline remains key.”
The CS urged leaders to avoid divisive regional rhetoric, warning that such narratives threaten the unity of one of Kenya’s most successful agricultural sectors.
“We do not want to divide the sector. Politicians, please don’t divide people along tea lines. Our job is to produce the best quality tea and support regions that need help to reach that level,” he said.
The CS who spoke in Embu County during the flagging off of 13 new milk coolers destined for local dairy cooperatives urged leaders to focus on policy-driven and data-based solutions to improve value chains, quality, and farmer earnings.
He stressed that agricultural challenges must be handled through policy, science, and collaboration, not political competition.
“We call for sobriety. The issues facing agriculture are well known to farmers and stakeholders. They should be addressed through technical interventions, not political statements,” he added.
Kagwe reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding all agricultural sub-sectors and encouraged leaders to understand the technical dynamics before commenting publicly.
The event was attended by Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, area Governor Cecily Mbarire, Kenya Dairy Board Chairperson, and Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi.
Tea farmers across the growing regions have recently raised concerns over variations in annual bonus payments, with some zones receiving significantly lower rates than others.
KTDA attributed the difference to factors such as market prices at the Mombasa Tea Auction, quality differentials, and variations in factory efficiency and management costs.
Industry stakeholders note that while some factories recorded higher returns due to stronger international demand and better leaf quality, others were affected by fluctuating global prices, high production costs, and exchange rate pressures.
During yesterday’s event, the ministry distributed 13 milk coolers that will benefit over 3,900 dairy farmers, enabling aggregation of 25,000 litres of milk per day valued at KSh1.125 million. Annually, the coolers will handle 9.12 million litres worth KSh410.6 million.
Installed at a cost of KSh77.93 million, the facilities are expected to transform dairy collection centres into vibrant business hubs, creating jobs and stimulating auxiliary services across the county.
Kagwe noted that the investment underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening dairy value chains, reducing post-harvest losses, and stabilizing farmer incomes.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER May 25, 2026
- Gunners end Villa’s winning streak
- Loyalty in Hollywood: Does It Really Exist?
- Fernandes rewrites the record books as United cruise past Brighton
- Senegal’s Revolution Eats Its Own: President Faye Sacks Prime Minister Sonko as Debt Crisis Deepens
About the Author
