Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, led a vibrant celebration at Gitugi Tea Factory to mark the national launch of the 2025 International Tea Day festivities.
In a symbolic moment, the CS joined tea industry stakeholders in a ceremonial toast with freshly brewed Kenyan tea, underscoring a renewed commitment to revitalizing the sector.
The event gathered key players from across the tea value chain, including representatives from the Tea Board of Kenya, Fairtrade Africa, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA), and hundreds of local farmers.
This year’s theme, “Tea Industry Sustainability Looking into the Future,” set the tone for bold reforms and forward-thinking strategies aimed at securing long-term viability for the sector.
In his keynote address, Hon. Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s dedication to transforming Kenya’s tea industry into a globally competitive and farmer-centric enterprise.
He outlined an ambitious agenda focused on sustainable cultivation practices, the promotion of value addition, and access to new international markets.
“To truly empower our farmers, we must go beyond traditional models,” said CS Kagwe.
“This means embracing diversification into high-value speciality teas and capitalizing on our new orthodox auction platform to fetch better prices globally.”
Highlighting policy shifts already underway, the CS noted that the government is facilitating direct international sales to eliminate unnecessary middlemen and maximize earnings for smallholder farmers.
He also acknowledged the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and improving productivity across tea-growing regions.
Attendees lauded the CS’s leadership and the inclusive approach to tea sector reform, with many expressing optimism about the future of Kenyan tea on the global stage.
The event also featured factory tours, knowledge-sharing forums, and exhibitions showcasing innovations in sustainable tea processing.
