Kenya's Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, has issued a directive for tea factories to refuse poor-quality green leaf that does not meet the "two leaves and a bud" standard. The move aims to safeguard the quality of Kenyan tea and enhance farmers' incomes amid ongoing sector reforms.
Speaking at a public forum on August 14, 2026, Kagwe emphasized that modernising tea factories with new machinery, part of a Ksh7.1 billion government programme, would have limited benefits if factories continue processing substandard leaf. He warned that inferior green leaf lowers the price of Kenyan tea in global markets.
Key points from Kagwe’s address include:
- Tea factories must reject green leaf that does not meet the recommended quality standard.
- Farmers and tea pickers should collaborate to ensure only high-quality leaf is delivered.
- The modernisation programme targets improved tea quality, reduced production costs, and increased farmer earnings.
- The government aims to boost production of orthodox and specialty teas and expand into new international markets.
- Improved tea quality will help Kenyan tea command premium prices globally, increasing bonuses for farmers.
Kagwe highlighted that the government’s strategy combines factory upgrades with quality leaf production to create a sustainable growth cycle in the tea industry. This approach is intended to raise Kenya’s competitiveness in the international tea market and address concerns over low returns to growers.
The modernisation initiative supports factories in adopting advanced equipment and refining production processes, complementing efforts to enhance the quality of tea supplied by farmers across the country.
