By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a damning notice to Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) chairman Geoffrey Chege Kirundi, accusing several tea factory directors of violating the Tea Act, 2020, by illegally holding positions in multiple companies within the tea value chain.
In a letter dated 28th November 2025 and stamped “Top Priority”, the Principal Secretary for Agriculture cites non-compliance with Sections 34(9) and 34(10) of the Tea Act—provisions designed to strengthen governance and eliminate conflicts of interest in Kenya’s multibillion-shilling tea industry.
According to the Tea Act, a director of a tea factory cannot serve simultaneously in any other company, directly or indirectly, if that company has dealings with the factory. The law explicitly bars such cross-directorships due to the inherent conflict of interest and risks posed to good governance.
However, a compliance review conducted by the ministry found widespread violations within factories managed by KTDA Management Services (M) Ltd. The review established that several factory directors were also sitting on boards of KTDA’s commercial subsidiaries, contrary to the Act.
The subsidiaries flagged include:
- Chai Trading Company Ltd
- Kenya Tea Packers Ltd (KETEPA)
- TEMEC Machinery & Engineering Company
- IDA Management Ltd
- Greenland Fedha Ltd
- Majani Insurance Brokers Ltd
- KTDA DMCC
- Chai Solutions Centre
The ministry argues that these overlapping roles are unlawful and create opportunities for self-dealing, particularly because the subsidiaries transact directly with the same factories whose directors are meant to protect farmers’ interests.
Citing Section 34(10) of the Act, the Principal Secretary has directed all affected directors to immediately relinquish the conflicting positions and to complete the process within 30 days. The ministry further ordered KTDA to align factory director terms with the legal requirements under the Tea Act, emphasising that all governance structures must comply without delay. “You are hereby directed to align your internal governance structures and factory directors’ tenure of office in accordance with the Tea Act, 2020,” the letter states.
Moreover, KTDA’s leadership has been instructed to submit follow-up reports confirming compliance and outlining actions taken to rectify the breaches. The directive signals renewed government pressure on KTDA, following longstanding criticism over governance lapses, opaque management practices, and allegations of conflicts of interest that have disadvantaged smallholder tea farmers.
Smallholder farmers, who supply more than 60% of Kenya’s tea, are expected to be the primary beneficiaries if the ministry’s orders are implemented fully. Stronger governance, observers say, could translate into better earnings and improved operational transparency across the value chain.
The Weekly Vision will continue monitoring KTDA’s response to the directive and the potential impact on the governance of Kenya’s tea sector.
