Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned political leaders against politicising tea prices, saying challenges facing the sector are technical and should be solved through sound policies and data-driven interventions rather than regional rhetoric.
Speaking in Kanja, Embu County, during the flagging-off of 13 new milk coolers for local dairy cooperatives, Kagwe stressed that tea buyers choose based on quality, not location. He clarified that the tea market remains open under the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), and no farmer is compelled to sell through specific channels.
“Buyers are not forced to buy tea from any particular region. It is their preference. They dictate the type and quality of tea they want,” he said. “If you feel the prices you are getting are not fair, pursue direct sales. My job is to ensure tea quality improves across all regions.”
Kagwe warned that politicising tea prices could divide farmers and destabilise a sector that has long united Kenyans. “We do not want to divide the sector. Politicians, please don’t divide people along tea lines. Our job is to produce the best quality tea and help regions that need support to reach that level,” he added.
The CS reiterated that agricultural issues must be addressed through policy-led, technical solutions. “The issues facing agriculture are well known to farmers and stakeholders. They should be addressed through technical interventions, not political competition,” Kagwe said.
During the event, Kagwe flagged off 13 modern milk coolers worth Sh77 million for Embu County. The coolers, which will serve more than 3,900 farmers, are expected to aggregate 25,000 litres of milk daily, translating to 9.12 million litres annually valued at Sh410.6 million.
The initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses, stabilise farmer incomes, and transform aggregation centres into vibrant rural business hubs.
Tags: Mutahi Kagwe, Tea Prices, Agriculture, KTDA, Embu County, Dairy Farmers, Kenya
