Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned political leaders against turning tea prices into a divisive regional debate, saying the challenges in the value chain are technical and must be addressed through policy, data, and improved quality standards rather than political rhetoric.
Speaking in Kanja, Embu County, during the flagging-off of 13 new milk coolers destined for local dairy cooperatives, the CS said tea buyers are never compelled to buy from one region over another. Instead, they choose the teas that meet their preferred quality profile.
“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 emphasized that the tea market remains fully open under KTDA and that no farmer is restricted to one channel.
“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, and I am working with the East to make sure they fetch better prices,” he said. “Let us not politicize tea prices. Good prices follow good quality. Two leaves and a bud — that discipline remains key.”The CS urged leaders to stop dividing farmers along regional tea lines, warning that such narratives can destabilize a sector that has historically been one of Kenya’s most unified economic pillars.
“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.The CS stressed that, agricultural issues are technical, not political, Solutions must be policy-led, permanent, and data-based, agriculture is viewed holistically, not through a geographical lens, leaders must issue unifying statements that empower farmers, not divide them.
He further stated that,“We call for sobriety. The issues facing agriculture are well known to farmers and stakeholders. They should be addressed through technical interventions, not political competition.”
Kagwe reaffirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is commited to safeguarding all subsectors and encouraged leaders to familiarize themselves with the underlying technical issues before making public comments.
During the event attended by PS Livestock Jonathan Mueke, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Kenya Dairy Board Chair, and Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi Karemba, the CS flagged off 13 modern milk coolers for Embu County.
The 13 milk coolers will serve more than 3,900 dairy farmers and help aggregate 25,000 litres of milk per day valued at KSh 1.125 million, translating to 9.12 million litres annually worth KSh 410.6 million. Installed at a cost of KSh 77.93 million, the coolers are expected to transform aggregation centres into vibrant business hubs that create jobs and stimulate auxiliary services across the county. CS Kagwe said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening dairy value chains, reducing post-harvest losses, and stabilizing farmer incomes.
