The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings board has elected Chege Kirundi (pictured) as its new national chairman, succeeding Enos Njeru, who had held the position since mid-2023.
Meanwhile, director Eric Chepkwony retained his role as the National Vice Chairman.
Although Njeru has been replaced as the national chairman, he will remain on the board, representing tea factories in Zone 6, which covers Embu County.
Kirundi, who represents Zone 3 in Murang’a County, has been instrumental in driving tea reforms in the country, including the enactment of the 2020 Tea Act.
This leadership change comes just a week after the board raised concerns about political and senior Ministry of Agriculture officials interfering in its operations.
The board accused these leaders of pushing agendas within the agency that have financial implications.
Kirundi becomes the second national chairman under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Njeru, who took over as chairman in mid-2023, had replaced David Ichoho, who had served in the role since 2021 following countrywide elections.
Ichoho was replaced after a tea conference in Kericho in May 2023 but retained his position on the board representing Zone 1 tea factories in Kiambu County.
