Kericho: The government through the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) is fully committed to ensuring women in the tea sector occupy key decision-making positions by accelerating progress in achieving gender empowerment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Willy Mutai has affirmed that efforts are being made in finalizing the corporate governance regulations to entrench the provisions of gender equality in leadership within the tea value chains. Speaking over the weekend at Ernestea factory during this year's International Women's Day (IWD) celebrations, CEO Mutai emphasized the significant role women play in the tea industry. The sector supports over 834,129 farmers, the majority of whom are women involved in tea processing, packaging, trade, and consumption. Mutai highlighted the need to celebrate these contributions, as they drive the economy and elevate Kenya's tea on the global stage.
CEO Mutai stated, "The government of Kenya is committed to ensuring that women thrive in the tea sector. To accelerate progress in achieving gender empowerment in the Kenya tea sector, the government is finalizing the corporate governance regulations to entrench the provisions of gender equality in leadership." He noted that TBK remains dedicated to promoting women's leadership across the tea value chain, as outlined in the Tea Act 2020.
Mutai revealed that tea production in 2024 increased to 598 million kilograms from 517 million kilograms the previous year. He emphasized the importance of celebrating women, who are predominantly engaged in the harvesting sector of the tea value chain. Furthermore, he acknowledged Ernestea factory's efforts in producing high-quality organic tea, demonstrating opportunities for women in the industry.
Ernestea Factory spokesperson, Ms. Rosemary Langat-Rop, recounted the factory's beginnings as a vision from their parents, the late Ambassador Ernest Langat and Ludiah Langat. Focused on Orthodox and specialty teas, the factory processes 3,500 to 5,000 kg of green leaf daily, with its purple tea ranked first in Kenya in 2024. Ms. Rop expressed gratitude for TBK's guidance and stressed the importance of quality in meeting market demands.
Ms. Rop also advised female entrepreneurs in the tea sector to prioritize good governance, transparency, and fairness to achieve success in their ventures. "The mission of Ernestea is to share high-quality tea with our friends all over the world. The journey is not yet over; we still have to expand our capacity and focus on getting more on the shelf," she added.
Ernestea factory, located in Kaptebeswet area within Belgut sub-county in Kericho County, has grown into a multimillion-shilling high-value export business over the years. However, despite women's significant contributions, recent elections for management of factories under Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) highlighted underrepresentation, with only 19 women elected out of 324 directors across 12 tea factories.
The event was attended by various government officials, industry representatives, and stakeholders, underscoring the importance of gender empowerment and the pivotal role women play in the tea industry.