Weekly News Roundup Nō 39 / Sept 2025
Kenya Launches First-Ever Orthodox Tea Auction to Diversify Exports and Boost Farmer Earnings
On 26 September 2025, Agriculture and Livestock Production Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe officially launched Kenya’s first Orthodox tea auction at the East African Tea Trade Auction (EATTA) in Mombasa. The move marks a shift from the country’s traditional reliance on CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) teas to more premium, specialty varieties.
More than 650,000 tea farmers are expected to benefit from this transition, which is part of the government’s strategy to expand tea earnings to KES 270 billion under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). To support the effort, the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has already licensed 22 factories for Orthodox tea production, with plans and support for more. For the inaugural auction, 2,925 packages (about 91,798 kg) of Orthodox tea were put up for sale. These teas are expected to fetch between USD 3 and USD 10 per kilo, substantially higher than the average price of bulk CTC teas (which is about USD 2.28 per kilo) at the Mombasa Auction.
To ensure quality and credibility, the TBK has established a Tea Quality Assurance Laboratory in Mombasa, offering real-time testing and food safety certification, and new processing lines are being installed in various factories.There is also a push to more than double the number of orthodox tea manufacturers—from 22 to 42—by 2027. The auction is also going digital, allowing buyers from around the globe to participate remotely, thereby improving transparency, price discovery, and farmer returns.
High Court Suspends Allocation of a Sh.15 Billion Rice Import Tender Amid Dispute
On 25 September 2025, the High Court in Mombasa issued an order temporarily blocking the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) from awarding a 250,000 metric tonne rice import quota due to allegations of illegitimate and nontransparent tendering process.
The trouble stems from bid awards originally made by the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) under a tender (Tender No. KNTC/TENDER/IMPORT/003/2025-2026), which were later revoked by AFA via a decision dated 10 September 2025. The court ruled the revocation was illegal, especially because the initial tender was conducted in compliance with Gazette Notice No. 10353 of 28 July 2025 and a previous court ruling (19 August 2025).
Justice Jairus Ngaah issued conservatory orders restraining AFA from reallocating or issuing the rice import quota to any private individual or entity outside the lawful tender process.The petitioners filed under urgency, arguing that failure to restrain the reallocation would risk undermining lawful procurement and public interest.The case is set for further directions on mentions in October 2025.
Migori ASK Show to Promote Climate Smart Agriculture
From 25–27 September 2025, the Migori branch of the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) held its regional show at the Migori Showground, Lichota, welcoming over 60 exhibitors from agriculture, manufacturing, finance, education, hospitality, and MSMEs.
The theme was “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth”. The event showcased innovations and best practices in climate adaptation, with field days, interactive forums, youth participation, and display of new technologies and crop varieties. Kenyan Schools and institutions also took part, enabling farmers and learners to engage directly with exhibitors, vendors, and experts.
Kenya News