Today, Principal secretary state department for Agriculture Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh Paul has unveiled, and held an inaugural meeting with, a team of Taskforce members that will conduct extensive investigation on the underlying causes and impacts of accumulation of unsold tea and propose short, medium and long term solutions,”. for a period of sixty (60) days, which took effect on 15th November, 2024.
The Taskforce’s scope of duty includes setting to perform regulatory functions, policy assessment and recommendation, development and implementation of an action plan, propose practical solutions, and a performance review of Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) factories.
Further, the task force will examine the effect of the minimum reserve price and its delay in payment and analyze the storage conditions of tea. It will also explore the causes of tea price disparities in the East and West Rift regions and investigate additional influences on sales in the Mombasa Tea Auction.
The Taskforce may co-opt any person(s) as it may consider necessary or expedient for the proper performance of its functions. It may also create committees or sub-committees to expedite the discharge of its tasks;
It might also consider reports of past or on-going initiatives towards enhancing the legal, policy and institutional framework in the tea sub-sector or cause to be carried out such studies or research as may inform the Taskforce on its mandate; and
Last but not least, it may have all powers necessary or expedient for the proper execution of its functions, including the power to regulate its own procedures.
The task force is chaired by Nicholas Munyi Kagua and consists of 14 members and a secretariat of six members.
At the end of 60 days, the team is expected to come up with a tripartite report that will provide a clear roadmap to facilitate sustainable long term solutions to the tea sub sector.
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