CS Kagwe orders tea factories to reject poor-quality leaf as Ksh7.1B upgrade begins

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered tea factories across Kenya to reject green leaf that does not meet the two leaves and a bud standard, emphasizing the link between tea quality and farmer earnings. The government's Sh7.1 billion factory modernization program aims to improve efficiency and produce higher-value tea products.

During a visit to Kapsara Tea Factory in Trans Nzoia, Kagwe stressed that only quality leaf should be processed at the factory, warning that mixing low-quality leaf with good plucks reduces final tea value and can harm farmers' earnings. He allocated Sh44.6 million for a new withering plant installation at Kapsara Tea Factory, replacing outdated machinery that consumes significant electricity.

The modernization program is expected to reduce processing costs, enhance energy efficiency, and increase production of premium tea varieties. Kagwe used Momul Tea Factory as an example, noting that quality improvements increased its tea value from around US$2 to over US$3 per kilogramme. He argued that quality should be measured by the amount of money reaching farmers, urging Kenya to move beyond traditional tea markets by increasing production of orthodox, specialty, and value-added teas.

The government's comprehensive tea sector plan encompasses factory upgrades, market development, research, and value addition, aimed at boosting Kenyan tea's competitiveness and farmer returns. Earlier this year, Kagwe introduced a Sh3.7 billion concessional financing facility to support tea factory modernization.