KTDA Board Members during a press conference at Sarova Panafric hotel in Nairobi on Thursday. Photo by KTDA media
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) on Thursday, delivered a forceful address condemning political interference in the operations of KTDA’s 54 tea factories, outlining a series of concerns that have negatively impacted both the organization and the small-scale farmers it represents.
Speaking at the press conference KTDA Vice-Chair Eric Chepkwony called for greater respect for the rule of law and corporate governance within the tea industry, urging the government to cease meddling in the affairs of KTDA and its operations.
The heart of KTDA’s concerns is a series of actions taken by various government officers and politicians, which KTDA claims have disrupted tea factory operations and led to significant market volatility, harming farmers. According to Chepkwony, the interference has included unconsulted government decisions such as the surprise reinforcement by the Minister of Agriculture, which led to a dramatic fall in tea prices at the Nairobi Tea Auction. Further claims included attempts to separate satellite factories from parent factories, as well as government-appointed meetings that were costly to farmers.
“Some government officers and politicians are attempting to dictate decisions to KTDA, which is a private entity governed by the Companies Act of 2015,” Chepkwony said, emphasizing that these actions threaten the very sustainability of the tea sector. KTDA is urging that such decisions be reconsidered, and that stakeholders respect the established legal framework governing the tea industry.
A particularly contentious issue highlighted by KTDA was the interference with the governance of Mijumiguru Tea Factory. The factory experienced direct meddling in its director elections, with government officials making public pronouncements about the factory’s board standing suspended, despite the process having been conducted in accordance with the Companies Act. The announcement was made without the proper opportunity for the elected board to defend their position, in what KTDA describes as a clear violation of natural justice and corporate governance principles.
The organization also raised alarms over the involvement of government security forces, specifically the General Service Unit (GSU), being deployed to factories such as Mijumiguru, allegedly to enforce political motives. KTDA expressed concern that such actions were contributing to instability within the tea industry, lowering investor confidence and affecting the livelihoods of farmers who depend on the sector.
In a joint statement the board members also touched on the issue of market absorption, particularly how political interference has hurt tea sales and undermined the confidence of international buyers. KTDA expressed worry that the continued political disruption could lead to even lower earnings for farmers, exacerbating the financial strain already faced by many small-scale growers.
In response to these developments, KTDA reiterated its commitment to transparency and corporate governance, seeking a solution to the current crisis through legal channels. A court injunction issued in January 2025 halted the implementation of any controversial resolutions that had been passed in recent meetings. KTDA assured all stakeholders that any future decisions will comply with established legal and corporate governance frameworks.
Speaking in the same meeting Gabriel Kagombe Board Member for Kiambu and MP for Gatundu South, urge President Ruto to fire PS Paul Ronoh who he said he interferes with tea
“We are not against the government, but we are against certain individuals who are undermining the rights of farmers and disrupting the functioning of the tea industry for their own political gains,” Kagombe stated, calling out specific government officials, whom he accused of giving misadvice to former government ministers.
He criticized these actions for having a damaging effect on the industry, including the controversial removal of price floors that previously protected tea prices and maintained a level of stability in the market.
Additionally, the KTDA board members condemned what they described as political posturing and interference by members of parliament and local leaders. They called for greater support for farmers, stressing that the government’s role should be to help identify new markets for tea, rather than meddle in private business decisions.
“We have fought for years to keep the government out of tea business operations. The government was kicked out in 1989 for a reason. We urge them not to return,” said one of the board members. Another pointed out the critical importance of operating within the confines of established laws, and reaffirmed that the tea industry’s success is largely due to its ability to self-regulate and manage its affairs without interference.
The KTDA leadership ended their statement with a call for dialogue and a request for an audience with President William Ruto, urging his intervention to prevent further damage to the tea sector. The organization made it clear that they are prepared to continue engaging with legal institutions and to protect the interests of farmers at all costs.
KTDA reasserted its commitment to ensuring that the voices of small-scale farmers are heard, and that their economic rights are protected from external political forces. As the tea industry moves forward, KTDA remains focused on upholding its legal framework, providing updates to the public, and ensuring that any resolutions are made in accordance with the law.