Embu, Kenya – Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned political leaders against turning tea prices into a regional or ethnic contest, insisting that market dynamics in the sector are driven by quality and global buyer preferences rather than geography or politics.
Speaking on Friday in Kanja, Embu County, where he flagged off 13 new milk coolers for local dairy cooperatives, the CS dismissed political narratives painting certain tea-growing zones as disadvantaged, saying such claims risk fracturing a sector that has historically united farmers across the country.
“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,” Kagwe said.
“Tea taste issues are not political issues. They are technical issues.”
He emphasized that Kenya’s tea subsector remains liberalized under KTDA, and that farmers are free to explore direct sales and specialty markets if they believe they can fetch higher earnings.
“If you feel the prices you are getting are not fair, pursue direct sales. You are free to choose where to sell,” he said.
“Good prices follow good quality. Two leaves and a bud — that discipline remains key.”
Kagwe called on leaders to avoid issuing statements that stoke regional rivalry, saying agricultural performance depends on research, improved farming practices, and investments in value addition rather than political rhetoric.
“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 support regions to improve,” he said.
The CS stressed that:
-
Agricultural challenges are technical, not political
-
Solutions must be policy-driven and data-based
-
The Ministry views agriculture holistically, not by region
-
Leaders must issue unifying, not divisive, messaging
“We call for sobriety. The issues facing agriculture are known to farmers and experts. They must be addressed through technical interventions, not political competition,” he added.
During the event attended by PS Livestock Jonathan Mueke, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Kenya Dairy Board leadership, and Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi Karemba, the CS flagged off 13 modern milk coolers valued at KSh 77.93 million.
The coolers will:
-
Serve 3,900+ dairy farmers
-
Aggregate 25,000 litres of milk per day (worth KSh 1.125 million daily)
-
Translate to 9.12 million litres annually valued at KSh 410.6 million
Kagwe said this investment will reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen cooperatives, and create local business hubs that support transporters, processors, and youth employment.
“This is how we build sustainable rural economies. We are strengthening dairy value chains and stabilizing farmer incomes,” he said.
About The Author
