Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe cuts the ribbon alongside Ps
Agriculture Kipronoh Ronoh, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, KTDA Chair
and board members, TBK chair and CEO, among other key stakeholders, during the International
Tea Day celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho County on May 21,
2026/ HANDOUTAgriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called for sweeping legislative reforms to compel value addition of all Kenyan agricultural products before export, saying the policy shift could unlock millions of jobs for young people and reduce overdependence on politicians for survival.
Speaking during the International Tea Day celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho on Thursday, Kagwe urged Parliament and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot to spearhead laws that would ensure raw agricultural commodities are processed locally before being exported.
He said Kenya continues to lose employment opportunities by exporting raw produce while foreign industries benefit from processing the same commodities.
“We must value add. Aaron Cheruiyot, help us make laws that all products must be value added before they leave the country,” Kagwe said, making one of his strongest policy statements yet on agricultural reform.
The Cabinet Secretary argued that the current export model undermines job creation and limits the country’s economic potential. He said strengthening value addition would directly benefit young people by creating employment opportunities within the production and processing chain.
“This will create jobs and stop our youths from begging money from politicians,” he declared, drawing applause from farmers and stakeholders attending the event.
The celebrations were also attended by Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kiprono Ronoh, leaders from the tea sector, and county government officials.
The gathering formed part of broader discussions on reforms in Kenya’s tea industry and strategies to improve farmer earnings through innovation and diversification.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, alongside PS Agriculture Kipronoh
Ronoh, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, KTDA Chair and board members,
TBK Chair and CEO, among other key stakeholders, during the International Tea Day
celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho County on May 21, 2026/ HANDOUTKagwe used the platform to push for a transformation of the tea sector, urging a shift from bulk black CTC tea exports to higher-value products.
He highlighted opportunities in orthodox teas, green tea, purple tea, herbal blends, branded tea bags, and specialty consumer packs aimed at premium global markets.
He said Kenya’s tea industry must move beyond dependence on bulk exports and instead invest in innovation, branding, and product diversification. According to him, the future competitiveness of the sector depends on how well it adapts to changing global consumer preferences.
The CS also defended the Tea Levy Regulations 2026, saying the levy is designed to strengthen the industry through funding marketing, branding, research, and value addition programmes.
He noted that while some stakeholders had expressed resistance, the government remained committed to ongoing engagement.
“On tea levy we are open to keep engaging stakeholders and don’t use litigation as a bargaining power,” he said, cautioning against prolonged court battles that he said were slowing reforms.
He accused some factory directors of wasting farmers’ resources through endless legal disputes despite prior consultations on the levy framework.
Kagwe further raised concerns over governance within some tea factories, warning against mismanagement of farmers’ funds and reckless borrowing.
“Debt write-offs cannot continue yet some factory leaders are borrowing and stealing,” he said.
He added that any loans acquired in the name of farmers should benefit all growers rather than a few individuals making unilateral decisions. He emphasised accountability and transparency in factory management as key to restoring confidence in the sector.
The Cabinet Secretary also addressed land access issues, urging families to reconsider traditional inheritance practices that limit young people’s participation in agriculture.
He said restricted access to land continues to block youth involvement in farming and agribusiness.
“Parents also give your children some land for farming. You don’t have to wait until you die as culture has tied,” Kagwe said.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, alongside PS Agriculture Kipronoh
Ronoh, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, KTDA Chair and board members,
TBK Chair and CEO, among other key stakeholders, during the International Tea Day
celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho County on May 21, 2026/ HANDOUTHe warned that without deliberate efforts to integrate young people into agriculture, Kenya risks losing a generation from food production systems. “We need to get more youths to farm,” he added.
Kagwe praised initiatives at Momul Tea Factory, including the commissioning of a new orthodox tea processing line, the development of speciality tea products such as ginger tea, premium packaging, and expansion into e-commerce. He said such investments represent the future of Kenya’s tea sector.
He further said Kenya must position itself globally not only as a producer of quality tea but also as a leader in sustainable and ethical production, especially as international markets increasingly demand Environmental, Social and Governance compliance.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including Dr Kiprono Ronoh, Senator Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, KTDA leadership, TBK officials, and board members from across the tea value chain.
