Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the immediate withdrawal of court cases that are obstructing reforms in the tea industry. Gachagua emphasized the detrimental impact of these legal battles on farmers, stating, “Farmers deserve better returns on their investment, and it is wrong for actors in the industry to file cases that hinder efforts to make the sector more lucrative.”

Speaking today, Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Tea Industry Performance Report release event in Nairobi, Gachagua urged stakeholders to prioritize the well-being of Kenyan farmers by supporting the full implementation of reforms. He warned against individuals motivated by power and greed, stating, “People who are greedy for power have taken farmers to court and their lawyers are being paid from farmers’ earnings. It is not right.”

The report unveiled a remarkable 16% increase in tea exports in 2023, reaching 522.92 million kilograms, with earnings soaring to Sh180.57 billion. Gachagua pledged the government’s commitment to expanding the global market for Kenyan tea and ensuring the sector’s prosperity. He urged farmers to select leaders with integrity in the upcoming directors’ elections, emphasizing the importance of protecting and promoting the ongoing reforms for a thriving tea subsector.