Taskforce for the Causes and Impacts of Unsold Tea in Kenya

The Ministry of Agriculture has established a task force to investigate the causes and the impact of unsold tea in Kenya. The 14-member committee launched by Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Paul Ronoh on December 9, 2024, will also consist of a secretariat of 6 members and will be chaired by Nicholas Munyi Kagua. 

The task force will have 60 days to complete their report, and the team is expected to develop a tripartite report that will provide a clear roadmap to facilitate sustainable long-term solutions for the tea sub-sector. 

Additionally, the team will conduct an extensive investigation into the underlying causes and impacts of the accumulation of unsold tea and propose short-, medium-- and long-term solutions within 60 days.

”Today, I have unveiled and held an inaugural meeting with a team of Taskforce members that will conduct an extensive investigation on the underlying causes& impacts of accumulation of unsold tea and propose short, medium, and long-term solutions for 60 days,” said Ronoh. 

Furthermore, the task force has several objectives, including performing regulatory functions, policy assessment and recommendation, developing and implementing an action plan, proposing practical solutions and a performance review of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories. 

Kenya tea farmers have faced several challenges, including instability of tea prices and delayed payment of bonuses and tea dues. The challenges that seem to have led the country to scrap the minimum prices of Kenyan tea in the global market are leading to farmers earning little for their efforts. The hope of Kenyan tea farmers is now anchored on the task force.