Mombasa: The Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism has called for the government to eliminate excessive paperwork in the tea export process. The committee, led by Chairperson Issa Boy, addressed the media at the East Africa Tea Trade Area, highlighting the bureaucratic hurdles that are impeding the business.
According to Kenya News Agency, Issa Boy emphasized that the cumbersome procedures have long been a point of contention among tea marketers, causing unnecessary delays. He advocated for the removal of these impediments to motivate farmers who have been experiencing low profits that do not reflect the value of their labor. Boy suggested engaging with the Cabinet Secretary for Trade to discuss reducing export restrictions, drawing parallels with the successful implementation of one-stop border points.
Furthermore, Boy noted concerns about restrictions on exporting Kenyan tea to Sudan, promising that the committee would bring this issue to the attention of the Cabinet Secretary to seek a solution. Committee Vice Chair Esther Okenyuri echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of ensuring that tea farmers receive fair compensation for their produce. She highlighted the challenges outlined by the Tea Board of Kenya and urged the committee to collaborate with the government to resolve these issues.
Senator Jackson Mandago, another committee member, proposed focusing on value-added tea to increase earnings and attract both local and international buyers. Mandago pointed out that Kenyan tea is often used for blending with other brands and is not always recognized as a Kenyan product. He advocated for value addition to promote local consumption and boost the tea sector, encouraging a tea drinking culture akin to that of coffee.
Mandago also mentioned that the committee is working on policies to improve the value farmers receive for their tea, which will ultimately enhance revenue. He called on Kenyan investors and stakeholders to invest in orthodox tea, noting the high demand for value-added tea. By inviting private investors, the country can enhance the tea sector and capitalize on existing opportunities in the market.