Mutahi Kagwe calls for an end to tea hawking business
Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called for an end to tea hawking in Kenya, saying the practice undermines the quality and reputation of the country’s tea in international markets.
Speaking during the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) meeting at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, September 11, 2025, iKagwe insisted that tea hawking has become a major threat to the industry, which is one of Kenya’s leading foreign exchange earners.
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The CS further warned that the practice undermines the standards and risks tarnishing Kenya’s credibility in international markets and also denies farmers the full value of their produce.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding the country’s global reputation for high-quality tea products.
“This hawking business must come to an end, that is the only way we can ensure that the quality of Kenyan tea remains recognised across the world,” Kagwe stated.
On the other hand, farmers and a section of leaders present during the meeting lauded President William Ruto’s tea sector reforms and called for stronger market frameworks.
Ruto on tea farming
Ruto, on September 11, 2025, hailed the tea sector as a major successful economic sector for Kenya.
He also emphasised that Kenyan tea is globally recognised for its quality, but often loses value when exported in bulk without proper branding.
Taking to X, the head of state announced that he had presented a cheque of Ksh2.65 billion to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) at State House, Nairobi.
The funds were deposits held by the Kenya Deposit Insurance Company under the defunct Chase and Imperial Banks.
“At State House, Nairobi, I presented a cheque of Ksh2.65 billion to the Kenya Tea Development Agency, which were deposit held by the Kenya Deposit Insurance Company under the defunct Chase and Imperial Banks,” he wrote.
Ruto said agriculture is at the heart of Kenya’s national transformation agenda.
“It remains the backbone of our economy: contributing nearly half of our GDP, creating millions of jobs, driving exports, and ensuring food security.”
He highlighted the reforms the government has implemented. These include registering 6.5 million farmers, distributing 21 million bags of subsidised fertiliser, dismantling cartels, streamlining sector management, opening new markets, and expanding support systems.
Ruto said the impact of these reforms is visible across all subsectors of agriculture, with tea standing out as a major success story.
“The impact is visible across every subsector, with tea standing out as a powerful success story. Prices have risen from an average of Sh51 to Ksh64 per kilo, while export earnings have surged from Sh138 billion to Ksh250 billion. With continued value addition, the modernisation of factories and the branding of our tea, we project that earnings will reach Ksh280 billion by 2027.”
