New KTDA chairman Kirundi assumes office, outlines vision

KTDA chairman Geoffrey Chege Kirundi, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe and CEO Wilsom Muthaura at Kilomo House on March 6, 2025. PHOTO/HANDOUT.

Speaking to over 160 directors from the west of the Rift Valley over the weekend in Nakuru, Kirundi reaffirmed the board’s commitment to a new business philosophy: “Farmers First.”

"Our priority is to ensure that smallholder tea farmers benefit fully from their investment in tea. The industry must evolve to meet today’s challenges while securing a sustainable future for all stakeholders," he said.

He noted that the business fundamentals upon which KTDA was founded in 1964, initially as a parastatal before its privatization in 2000, have changed significantly.

As a result, KTDA must adapt to the evolving business environment.

To achieve this, Kirundi emphasized that the board is actively developing new policies and updating existing ones to enhance farmer benefits.

“Sustainability must be at the core of every decision we make—across all business pillars,” he stated.

The chairman stressed the importance of strong leadership and continuous engagement with stakeholders to address the challenges facing the tea sector.

"Some of the issues affecting smallholder tea factories arise from policy implementation and regulations that negatively impact the industry," he said, adding that such challenges could have been mitigated through proactive leadership and meaningful stakeholder engagement, including with the government.

He cited the reserve price policy as an example, stating that it was selectively applied to KTDA-managed factories rather than across the entire tea sector.

This, he noted, resulted in the accumulation of large volumes of unsold tea, particularly for factories in the west of the Rift Valley.

"This has had a significant negative impact on tea sales. However, our board, in collaboration with factory leadership, has established mechanisms to address this challenge,"  Kirundi assured.

Directors at the meeting also raised concerns about green leaf tea hawking, a practice prevalent in the West that compromises tea quality standards.

They resolved to task the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) with ensuring that all private tea factories comply with legal standards.

"If private factories fail to meet the required legal standards, their operational licenses should be reviewed," the directors stated.

Kirundi urged directors to take charge of quality control in their factories.

“Delivering high-quality tea is within our control, and we must ensure that we maintain the highest standards,” he said.

The directors commended Kirundi for his engagement and willingness to address the pressing issues affecting the tea business in the region.

He reaffirmed his commitment to open and regular dialogue with farmers and their leadership, stating, “Transparency and continuous engagement with all stakeholders will be key in driving positive change within the tea sector.”