The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) to review and update its institutional policy framework amid mounting pressures in the tea sector.
The collaboration was formalised during a high-level meeting at Majani Plaza in Nairobi attended by KTDA National Chairman Chege Kirundi, Acting Group CEO Francis Miano and senior departmental heads. KIPPRA’s delegation was led by Executive Director Eldah Onsomu alongside senior policy experts.
The review comes at a time when the tea industry is grappling with regulatory changes, global market volatility and growing scrutiny from farmers and other stakeholders. KTDA said the move is aimed at strengthening governance, sealing policy gaps and aligning its operations with existing laws and emerging regulatory requirements.
Under the agreement, KIPPRA will undertake an evidence-based audit of KTDA’s current policies. The exercise will identify outdated provisions, recommend necessary reforms and propose new frameworks where gaps exist. It will also assess whether the agency’s internal policies support its broader strategic objectives, particularly in marketing and international trade.
Chairman Chege Kirundi noted that clear governance structures and well-defined marketing and trade policies are critical in reducing institutional risks and enhancing accountability across factories managed by KTDA.
He said the review will help position the agency to respond effectively to sector shifts while safeguarding the interests of smallholder tea farmers who rely on KTDA-managed factories for processing and marketing their produce.
KTDA has in recent years been at the centre of debate within the tea sector, particularly on issues touching on governance, returns to farmers and access to global markets. The agency manages dozens of tea factories on behalf of smallholder farmers across the country and plays a central role in Kenya’s tea value chain.
Through the partnership, KTDA is also seeking to strengthen its marketing systems and refine its international trade strategies to enhance competitiveness in global tea markets.
The outcome of the policy review is expected to inform future operational and structural adjustments within the organisation as it works to adapt to a rapidly changing business and regulatory environment.
 has entered into a strategic partnership with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) to review and update its institutional policy framework amid mounting pressures in the tea sector.){kind=link}