Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned political leaders against turning tea prices into a regional contest, saying the challenges in the sector are technical and should be addressed through data-driven policies and improved quality standards rather than political rhetoric.
Speaking in Kanja, Embu County, during the flagging-off of 13 new milk coolers for local dairy cooperatives, Kagwe said tea buyers base their decisions on quality preferences, not regional affiliations.
“Buyers are not forced to buy tea from any specific region. It is their preference. They dictate the type and quality of tea they want,” he said.
“Tea taste issues are not political issues. They are technical issues.”
The CS emphasized that Kenya’s tea market, managed under the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), remains fully liberalized and farmers are free to seek direct sales if they believe they can secure better prices.
“If you feel the prices you are getting are not fair, pursue direct sales. You are free to choose where to sell,” Kagwe said.
“Good prices follow good quality. Two leaves and a bud — that discipline remains key.”
Kagwe warned that politicizing tea prices could undermine a sector that has long stood as one of Kenya’s most cohesive economic pillars.
He urged leaders to issue unifying messages that empower farmers rather than divide them along regional lines.
“We do not want to divide the sector. Politicians, please don’t divide people along tea lines. There is no division. Our job is to produce the best quality tea and help regions that need support to reach that level,” he said.
He outlined four key principles for managing the agricultural sector: that agricultural issues are technical, not political; solutions must be policy-led and data-driven; agriculture must be viewed holistically rather than geographically; and leaders should focus on unity and farmer empowerment.
“The issues facing agriculture are well known to farmers and stakeholders,” Kagwe added.
“They should be addressed through technical interventions, not political competition.”
The CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening all subsectors and urged leaders to familiarize themselves with underlying technical challenges before making public statements.
During the event, attended by PS Livestock Jonathan Mueke, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Kenya Dairy Board Chair, and Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi Karemba, Kagwe flagged off 13 modern milk coolers for Embu County.
The equipment, valued at Sh 77.93 million, will serve over 3,900 dairy farmers, aggregating 25,000 litres of milk daily—worth Sh 1.125 million—and translating to Sh 410.6 million annually. Kagwe said the investment will strengthen the dairy value chain, reduce post-harvest losses, and stabilize farmer incomes.
