Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has intensified calls for reforms aimed at compelling exporters to process agricultural commodities locally before exporting them, saying the move would create jobs for thousands of young people and strengthen Kenya’s economy.
Speaking during the International Tea Day celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho County, Kagwe urged Parliament to enact laws that would stop the export of raw agricultural produce and instead promote value-added products.
The CS said Kenya has continued to lose employment opportunities by exporting raw commodities that are later processed abroad, benefiting foreign industries while local youths remain jobless.
“We must value-add our products before they leave the country because this is what will create employment opportunities for our young people,” Kagwe said.
He challenged Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and lawmakers to spearhead legislation that would compel local processing of commodities such as tea, coffee, avocado and other agricultural products before export.
Kagwe noted that value addition would not only increase farmers’ earnings but also reduce dependency among young people who often rely on politicians for financial support.
“This will create jobs and help empower our youths economically,” he remarked.
The CS used the event to push for more reforms in the tea sector, saying Kenya must move away from overreliance on bulk black tea exports and focus on high-value specialty products.
He observed that products such as orthodox tea, purple tea, green tea, herbal blends and branded tea packages have greater potential in the international market compared to traditional bulk exports.
According to Kagwe, the future of Kenya’s tea industry lies in innovation, branding and diversification, adding that the country should position itself as a global leader in premium and sustainable tea production.
The CS also defended the Tea Levy Regulations 2026, saying the levy was introduced to support tea marketing, branding, research and value-addition programmes aimed at improving the sector.
While acknowledging concerns raised by some stakeholders, Kagwe cautioned factory officials against using court cases to frustrate government reforms.
“On the tea levy, we are open to engaging stakeholders but litigation should not be used as a tool to derail reforms,” he said.
He accused some tea factory leaders of mismanaging farmers’ funds through unnecessary borrowing and endless legal disputes that fail to benefit growers.
“Debt write-offs cannot continue while some factory leaders are borrowing irresponsibly and misusing farmers’ money,” Kagwe said.
He maintained that loans acquired in the name of farmers should benefit all growers rather than a few individuals making unilateral decisions.
The CS further challenged families to allow young people access to land for farming, saying outdated cultural practices were limiting youth participation in agriculture.
“Parents should allow their children to access land for farming instead of waiting until inheritance time,” he said.
Kagwe warned that unless deliberate efforts are made to involve young people in agriculture through innovation, land access and agribusiness opportunities, the country risks losing a generation from food production.
“We need to encourage more youths to embrace farming as a business,” he added.
The CS praised initiatives by Momul Tea Factory including the establishment of an orthodox tea processing line, specialty tea products, premium packaging and expansion into e-commerce platforms.
He said such investments demonstrate the direction Kenya’s tea industry should take in order to remain competitive globally.
Kagwe reiterated that the government under William Ruto remains committed to transforming agriculture into a modern, export-oriented and youth-driven sector capable of boosting farmer incomes and strengthening the country’s economy.
The event was attended by Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh, leaders from the tea sector, county government officials and directors from tea factories across the country.
By: Samuel Mwangi
