A public participation forum was successfully held at the Tea Research Institute (TRI) in Kericho County, focusing on the upcoming Financial Year 2026/27 and Medium-Term Budget. The event follows the official launch of the budget preparation process by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning on 25th August 2025, in line with National Treasury Circular No. 8/2025 and the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The forum brought together stakeholders from government, research institutions, farming communities, and the private sector to deliberate on the equipping of TRI with modern technologies aimed at enhancing tea research, innovation, and climate-smart processing.
A team from the State Department of Agriculture, led by Mr. Abdullahi Osman, ndc (K) – Under Secretary, Dr. Hesbon Odinga, Director of Planning, and CFO Madam Isabella Kogei,Mr Osman represented the Principal Secretary and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Participants emphasized that public participation is vital in shaping research priorities, guiding technology adoption, and ensuring transparency in resource allocation. Farmers and stakeholders were encouraged to view themselves as co-creators of innovation, not just beneficiaries.Notably, the government has recently allocated KES 3.5 billion to renovate 19 tea factories nationwide, and distributed 400,000 certified high-yield tea plants to smallholder farmers to boost productivity and resilience.
We appreciate all stakeholders for turning out in strong numbers and for their continued support and engagement. Their contributions are instrumental in ensuring that investments in TRI deliver lasting value to Kenya’s tea sector.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment to collaboration, transparency, and sustainable modernization of the tea industry—anchored in public participation and community-driven innovation.
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