Kenya is stepping up efforts to transform its tea industry ahead of International Tea Day on May 21, with the government committing Ksh 3.5 billion to drive reforms, reduce costs, and open up the sector to younger generations.

Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) CEO Willy Mutai recently visited Momul Tea Factory, where he held talks with the factory’s board and toured a newly established orthodox tea processing plant.

The visit was aimed at aligning factory operations with the government’s broader push for value addition in the sector.

As part of the reforms, Ksh 1 billion has been set aside under the 2025/26 supplementary budget to fast-track key changes in the industry.

Momul Tea Factory has also partnered with the Tea Research Institute to dedicate eight acres of land to the development of specialised, value-added tea products, a move expected to make Kenyan tea more competitive in global markets.

To help reduce production costs, the government is pursuing tax waivers on packaging materials, which would lower operational expenses for factories and translate to better returns for farmers.

The Tea Research Institute has also supplied 10,000 elite tea seedlings for distribution to farmers affiliated with Momul, with the improved varieties expected to boost both yields and quality.

Speaking during the visit, Mutai emphasized that the sector’s transformation will be anchored on reducing costs and maximizing value for farmers.

“As we gear up for May 21st, our focus remains on lowering costs and increasing the market value of every kilogram produced by the Kenyan farmer,” he said.

Adding to the excitement around this year’s celebrations, Kenya will also host the inaugural Youth Tea Festival, an initiative designed to draw young people into the tea value chain while promoting innovation and sustainability in the sector.