By Safi News Reporter
The Government has stepped up efforts to modernise Kenya’s tea industry after Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe presented a KSh 65.2 million grant to Gathuthi Tea Factory for the installation of two automatic withering units.
The funding is expected to accelerate the factory’s modernisation, improve processing efficiency, enhance the quality of processed tea, reduce production losses and boost its capacity to produce premium tea for both local and international markets.
Speaking during the presentation, Kagwe said the investment forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen Kenya’s tea sector through technology, innovation and value addition, ensuring the country’s tea remains competitive in the global market.
He noted that the improved processing facilities are expected to increase operational efficiency while delivering better returns to thousands of tea farmers supplying the factory.
The Cabinet Secretary also urged farmers to support the Tea Levy, clarifying that the levy is paid by tea buyers—not farmers. He explained that revenue generated from the levy will be channelled back into the tea sector to support research, expand markets, promote climate resilience, encourage innovation and finance modernisation programmes that directly benefit tea growers.
Kagwe further encouraged farmers to organise themselves into producer groups and stronger cooperative societies to improve their bargaining power, particularly for high-value crops such as avocado and macadamia.
According to the CS, collective marketing enables farmers to access larger markets, attract better buyers, minimise exploitation by middlemen and secure higher returns from their produce.
The latest investment underscores the Government’s commitment to transforming Kenya’s agricultural value chains by supporting modern processing infrastructure and empowering farmers to earn more from their produce.