Kenya bans tea hawking to safeguard quality, restore global market confidence
Tea factories risk delisting as government halts hawking and resolves dispute affecting four major processing centres in Bomet.
KENYA – Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced an immediate nationwide ban on tea hawking in Kenya, citing concerns over declining quality and threats to the country’s global tea reputation.
The directive was issued during a stakeholder meeting where the Cabinet Secretary emphasized the need for compliance with the Tea Act, 2020.
Kagwe warned that tea factories found purchasing green leaf from hawkers in violation of regulations would face serious consequences, including loss of licenses.
He expressed dismay at the continued operation of hawkers despite the existing legal framework and urged licensing authorities to enforce the law without compromise.
“The government will not sit back and watch the tea industry go to the dogs,” said Kagwe. “If factories continue buying from hawkers, they must be shut down.”
He stated that the unregulated practice introduces substandard green leaf into the value chain, affecting overall quality and the prices fetched at the Mombasa tea auction.
According to the CS, a single batch of low-grade tea can compromise entire consignments, damaging the country’s reputation on international markets.
He further criticized public officers who fail to curb illegal tea trading in their areas of jurisdiction, stressing the need for accountability and immediate enforcement.
Meanwhile, tea farmers in Bomet County have resumed operations following the resolution of a long-standing dispute involving the Kapkoros Tea Factory.
The dispute had led to a week-long boycott by farmers from Motigo and Olenguruone, who demanded separation from Kapkoros Tea Factory PLC over governance and operational concerns.
The Ministry upheld the farmers’ call for independence, confirming that Motigo and Olenguruone factories would be separated from Kapkoros.
Kagwe instructed the Kapkoros Tea Factory board to convene a Special General Meeting within 21 days to ratify the decision and address farmer grievances.
Stakeholders were also urged to withdraw all pending court cases and avoid any actions that could destabilize the management of Kapkoros, Motigo, Olenguruone, and Tirgaga factories.
The government’s actions aim to restore confidence in Kenya’s tea sector, improve earnings for farmers, and safeguard the nation’s leading position in the global tea market.
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