NAIROBI, Kenya – Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has called on Kenya’s political class to be more mindful of their rhetoric when discussing sensitive foreign policy issues, warning that inflammatory statements could jeopardize the nation’s economic interests, including its valuable tea export market.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Kinyanjui emphasized the delicate nature of Kenya’s trade relationships, particularly with key tea consumers in the Arab world, including Sudan, Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan.
These countries, he explained, are not only important for tea exports but are also diplomatically sensitive territories that require careful handling.
“Our tea doesn’t drink itself. It’s consumed out there — mostly in the Arab world. These are countries where perception matters. One careless remark can shut down a billion-shilling market,” Kinyanjui warned.
His remarks come in the wake of rising diplomatic tensions with Sudan.
The country recently halted tea imports from Kenya after the Kenyan government hosted leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
Sudan’s decision to stop tea imports has raised concerns about the potential long-term impact on Kenya’s tea industry, which relies heavily on exports to the Arab world.
Kinyanjui urged Kenya’s political leaders to avoid allowing internal political issues to spill over into the country’s foreign policy, especially when it could endanger strategic economic markets.
“We can’t afford to lose these vital markets simply because of how we position ourselves internationally,” he said, emphasizing the importance of managing diplomatic relations with tact.
The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed Kenya’s respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, assuring Sudan that Kenya values its business relationship.
“We’ve made it clear: Kenya respects the government of the day in Sudan. We want to keep the business relationship alive,” he stated.
Kenya’s tea industry, which spans across counties in Central and Rift Valley regions, plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.
Any disruption to the market not only impacts the tea industry but also affects workers and rural economies dependent on tea farming.
“Tea pays fees, pays workers, and fuels rural economies. When we hurt that market, we’re hurting our people,” Kinyanjui added, stressing the widespread economic implications of the export ban.
While President William Ruto has downplayed the suspension of tea exports, insisting that tea continues to flow into Sudan, the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi has contradicted this claim, stating that trade was suspended due to Kenya’s perceived tacit support for rebel factions in Sudan.
