The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has awarded the best tea factories in the country in each tea category during centenary celebrations in Mombasa.
In the white tea processing category, Kapkoros Tea Factory received the top award, followed by Boito and Kapkoros tea factories, which were ranked second and third, respectively.
The top three positions in the green tea category went to Anes Tea Factory, Chinga Tea Factory, Tea Research Factory Timbilil and Brown’s Plantation Chemugundae.
In the Olong tea category, Chinga Tea Factory emerged as the winner, followed by Gatanga Tea Industries and Kangaita in second and third place, respectively.
Gituki Tea Factory emerged as the winners in the Black Orthodox tea category followed by Imenti Tea Factory and Thumaita Tea Factory.
Kimunye Tea Factory emerged as the Black Orthodox OP1 tea category winner followed by Michi Mikuru Tea Factory, Chinga Tea Factory and Kangaita Tea Factory.
TBK also awarded the top prize to Imenti Tea Factory for producing the highest speciality tea followed by Kangaita, Kapkoros, Gitugi and Kimunye tea factories.
In recognition of the company that produced the highest-priced speciality tea for Black Orthodox FPOP, Kangaita Tea Factory emerged as the winner with Matunua and Kimunye tea factories taking the second and third places respectively.
For the best Black Orthodox GPOP category, Kagwe Tea Factory emerged at the top followed by Kimunye Tea Factory, Matunwa Tea Factory and Siomo Tea Factory.
In the highest valued speciality tea category, Imenti Tea Factory emerged as the winner with Boito and Kapkoros tea factories taking the second and third places.
In recognition of the factory that produced the highest-priced tea at the Mombasa tea auction, Githongo Tea Factory was awarded the top award followed by Imenti and Gacharage tea factories.
Kindiki hails tea sector
Speaking when he officially opened the Kenyan Tea Centenary Celebrations and Summit in Mombasa County on Friday, November 15, 2024, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki hailed growth witnessed in the tea sector, saying remarkable progress has been achieved in its 100 years of existence.
“The Kenyan tea is an integral part of our country’s heritage and liberation history. 100 years since tea growing and production was commercialised, remarkable strides have been made, and the best of Kenyan tea is ahead of us.
“The Kenyan tea is ranked top globally due to its quality, bold flavour and consistency and generates close to Ksh200 billion in foreign exchange earnings annually, accounting for two per cent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Kindiki said in a post on X.
While acknowledging the immense contribution the sector has facilitated as far as economic growth is concerned, Kindiki pointed out what needs to be done in order to enhance its growth even further.
“600 million kilograms of tea are produced in our country every year, and this production will be further enhanced through strategic policy and administrative interventions, including the provision of subsidised fertiliser, to ensure that all stakeholders, and particularly the farmers, receive value from their hard work.
“In the last two years, the government has made available over 180,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser and made it accessible to farmers at a cost of Ksh2,500 per 50-kg bag. This year, the government will spend Ksh2 billion to support the distribution of 97,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser to tea farmers,” he added.