President William Ruto on Tuesday, May 14 announced that the government, in partnership with a UK-based company would be developing a Kenyan tea brand for the global market.
Speaking during a meeting with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), Ruto noted that the move was aimed at ensuring that the country earns money from its tea exports.
He explained that most of the tea sold in the global market that has been produced in the country is not branded with any Kenyan colours, which he quantified as a missed opportunity.
Ruto added that other countries that were producing less tea than Kenya were earning more money, a scenario which he expressed to be shameful.
"We are the 3rd largest tea producer in the world, yet there is no Kenyan tea brand, it is unforgivable. If you go outside Kenya, you will find no supermarket that sells Kenyan tea.
" Kenyan tea is sold in all manner of brands except a Kenyan brand. We cannot continue this way," he stated.
On the other hand, he detailed that a tea academy would be built in the country. He noted that the institution will help research ways Kenya can better produce its tea to leverage opportunities in the global market.
The Head of State also revealed that various tax incentives would be adopted by the government to help promote the tea industry.
"We have also agreed to set up an academy in Kenya where we'll have a conversation about how to grow our tea. Last year we removed taxes on the packaging for tea. We cannot continue to export our tea in sacks.
"I am a very strong believer in the tea reforms. I want the tea industry to push me so long as they promise that they will be selling 60 per cent of tea in value-added exports," he stated.
According to a report by the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, Kenya is among the countries that earns less from tea despite being one of the biggest producers.
It was detailed that the difference maker was the value-added strategy adopted by other countries.
