Agriculture CS Kagwe blames tea hawkers for declining quality, defends blending at Mombasa port

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has blamed tea hawking for altering the quality of Kenyan tea, vowing to crack down on the practice to protect farmers and ensure high export standards.

Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, Kagwe said that unregulated tea sales disrupt the established factory system, leading to the production of low-quality tea that ultimately lowers prices at the Mombasa tea auction.

“Effective immediately, tea hawking across the country will be stopped to ensure that farmers deliver their tea directly to factories, where quality standards can be upheld,” Kagwe declared.

He further stated that tea hawkers and unscrupulous traders bring in substandard tea, which affects the overall quality of the final product at auction.

“One hawker or trader who delivers tea that does not meet the required standard spoils the whole batch, affecting prices and the reputation of our tea globally,” he noted.

Kagwe revealed that the government is working closely with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to implement better tea husbandry practices.

These efforts aim to enhance the quality and pricing of Kenyan tea in international markets by ensuring that only properly processed and well-managed tea reaches export destinations.

Additionally, the Kenya Tea Board has been tasked with enforcing regulations that prevent illegal tea trade.

Tea theft

The CS also raised concerns over tea theft among farmers, particularly in western Kenya, warning that stern action would be taken against those involved.

“I ask for the support of this House to ensure that independent tea processors buy from registered farmers only and not from hawkers. We must stand firm and not bow to political pressure that may arise from these reforms,” Kagwe told the Senate.

During the session, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina sought clarification on why Kenyan teas are mixed at the Mombasa port before export.

In response, Kagwe defended the blending process, explaining that tea is mixed based on buyer preferences and market demands.

“Tea exported to Turkey is different from tea sent to the United States because each market requires different qualities and flavours,” Kagwe said.

He gave an example of how tea from Narok might be blended with tea from Limuru despite being grown in different climatic regions.

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• defends blending at Mombasa port

“The result is a different taste, suited to specific consumer needs,” he explained.

The CS emphasized that Kenya’s tea industry is driven by global demand, and the government listens to the needs of international buyers.

“At the end of the day, Kenya is in business, and we must tailor our exports to what the market wants,” Kagwe concluded.