Murang'a: Political leaders have been urged to refrain from dragging politics into the tea sector and instead focus on safeguarding the interests of tea farmers to enhance productivity and expand market access.

According to Kenya News Agency, Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Chairman Chege Kirundi has raised concerns about the growing politicisation of the sector, which he says has slowed its development. Kirundi noted that the Tea Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, has already undergone both the first and second readings, with only the third and final reading remaining before it can be passed into law.

Kirundi emphasised that tea growers and other stakeholders have already submitted their views to Parliament regarding the proposed amendments. He criticised politicians for issuing statements outside the legislative process, warning that such actions undermine efforts to stabilise and grow the tea industry.

Among the contentious proposals in the Bill is the plan to reduce the number of factory directors from six to three per constituency, a move Kirundi strongly opposed. He argued that factory directors play a critical role in overseeing factory operations and representing farmers' interests at the grassroots level.

Beyond legislation, Kirundi assured farmers that KTDA has put in place strategies to expand markets for value-added tea, including shifting exports from bulk tea to small packets and blended products. He acknowledged that the sector faced challenges last year, including delayed fertiliser distribution, depressed rainfall, unfavourable exchange rates, and the loss of key markets due to geopolitical tensions.

To address these issues, KTDA is exploring new markets in Russia and China to absorb excess production and stabilise prices. Kirundi also assured farmers that systems have been improved to ensure timely fertiliser distribution this year.

Kirundi urged tea farmers to remain focused on quality production, noting that higher-quality tea would translate into better prices and improved sales. The bill, passed by the senate in October 2024 and now being considered by the national assembly, proposes several reforms aimed at improving transparency, market access, and farmer earnings in the tea industry.