EMBU, Kenya — Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned political leaders against turning tea prices into a regional political issue, warning that such rhetoric risks dividing farmers and undermining one of Kenya’s most successful export sectors.
Speaking in Kanja, Embu County, on Thursday during the flagging off of 13 new milk coolers for local dairy cooperatives, Kagwe said fluctuations in tea prices are driven by quality and market preference, not regional bias.
“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,” said Kagwe. “Tea taste issues are not political issues. They are technical issues.”
He dismissed claims that some regions were being sidelined in tea sales, insisting that the market remains open under the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) framework and that farmers are free to pursue direct sales if they wish.
“If you feel the prices you are getting are not fair, pursue direct sales. You are free to choose where to sell. My job is to ensure tea quality improves across all regions,” Kagwe added.
The CS urged leaders to “stop dividing farmers along tea lines”, saying unity and a shared focus on quality are essential to sustaining the sector’s competitiveness.
“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.
Kagwe reiterated that agriculture should be guided by policy, data, and technical interventions, not political competition, emphasizing that lasting solutions must be science-based and region-neutral.
He outlined four key principles guiding the Ministry’s approach:
- Agricultural issues are technical, not political.
- Solutions must be policy-led and data-driven.
- Agriculture should be viewed holistically, not geographically.
- Leaders should unite and empower farmers, not divide them.
Kagwe also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening all agricultural subsectors, including tea and dairy.
During the event, attended by Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Kenya Dairy Board Chair, and Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi, Kagwe flagged off 13 modern milk coolers worth KSh 77.9 million.
The coolers, expected to serve over 3,900 farmers, will aggregate 25,000 litres of milk per day, valued at KSh 1.1 million, translating to over KSh 410 million annually.
The investment aims to transform milk aggregation centres into vibrant business hubs, create jobs, and reduce post-harvest losses across Embu County.
“This reflects the government’s commitment to stabilizing farmer incomes and making dairy a sustainable business for smallholders,” Kagwe said.
