(NAIROBI, KENYA) – The Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) will supply two million bags of fertiliser to more than 600,000 tea farmers starting next month, following delays in shipment of the consignment.
KTDA National Chairman Enos Njeru said the authority had procured 99,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, equivalent to two million 50 kilogramme bags, which are expected to arrive early next month and be distributed to farmers immediately.
Njeru said the fertiliser was initially expected to reach farmers this month ahead of anticipated rains, but technical and logistical challenges affected the shipment schedule.
Njeru said KTDA was also pursuing market diversification for Kenyan tea to improve farmers’ earnings following a decline in tea prices over the past few months. He said the authority was awaiting court directions on implementation of the 0.8% levy gazetted by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe after a section of farmers petitioned the courts over the matter.
Njeru also said allegations of irregular or illegal payment of about KES322.5 million ($2.5 million / £2 million) to one of the fertiliser suppliers were under investigation by relevant authorities.
He said the alleged payment of KES322.5 million to one of the fertiliser suppliers is currently under investigation by the relevant investigating authorities, and KTDA will allow the competent authorities to complete their work, establish the facts and issue their findings.
Njeru said KTDA remained committed to accountability and transparency in its operations to safeguard the interests of the more than 600,000 smallholder tea farmers across the country.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of a meeting with tea sector stakeholders in Naivasha, Njeru cautioned against spreading unverified allegations through social media, sensational headlines, speculative commentary and irresponsible blogging. He said the authority remained open to constructive proposals aimed at reforming the tea sector and improving returns to farmers.
Njeru said the interests of individual persons or groups must never supersede the interests of the millions of tea farmers whose livelihoods depend on this industry.
The chairman said KTDA leadership was strengthening governance, financial discipline, accountability and transparency across its operations.
He welcomed the national government’s decision to provide a grant for replacement of old machinery in tea factories, saying the investment would improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Njeru said modern machinery would help factories process tea more efficiently while improving the overall competitiveness of the sector and returns to farmers.
Njeru further disclosed that KTDA managed factories had installed anti-tampering devices to curb green leaf fraud associated with manipulation of weighing scales. He warned that those found tampering with weighing equipment would face action in accordance with the law.
The fertiliser distribution comes as the tea sector continues to play a significant role in Kenya’s agricultural economy and foreign exchange earnings.
According to the Tea Industry Performance Report released by the Tea Board of Kenya in April 2026, tea export earnings increased to KES186 billion ($1.43 billion / £1.13 billion) in 2025 from KES181 billion ($1.39 billion / £1.1 billion) in 2024.
The report showed that tea export volumes rose by 9.81% to 652.80 million kilogrammes in 2025, compared with 594.50 million kilogrammes recorded in 2024.
Domestic tea sales also increased by 6% to KES19.13 billion ($147.2 million / £115.9 million), while the total marketed value of tea rose from KES215.21 billion ($1.66 billion / £1.3 billion) in 2024 to KES218.79 billion ($1.68 billion / £1.33 billion) in 2025.
Kenya has expanded its tea export destinations to 100 countries from 96 in 2024, with increased demand reported in Pakistan and Egypt. The sector has also opened emerging markets in countries including Oman, Ireland, Japan and Kazakhstan.