Kenya Agriculture Secretary mandates strict tea quality standards

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered tea factories to implement strict quality controls by rejecting green leaf that does not meet the ‘two leaves and a bud’ standard. During a visit to Kapsara Tea Factory, Kagwe emphasized that mixing substandard leaves with high-quality plucks compromises the final product and unfairly reduces returns for farmers who follow quality guidelines.

The government aims to increase the international value of Kenyan tea, which in turn should lead to higher earnings and bonuses for growers. Kagwe cited Momul Tea Factory as a success story, noting it increased its tea value from approximately US$2 to over US$3 per kilogram through improved leaf quality.

As part of a broader modernization program, the government is investing in replacing outdated machinery to improve energy efficiency and enable the production of high-value specialty teas. At Kapsara Tea Factory, Ksh44.6 million has been allocated to install a new withering plant to replace aging, high-consumption equipment.