Kakamega County gov't allocates Sh700m to resume construction of Madala Tea Factory

The Kakamega County Government has announced a Sh700 million (US5.43M) allocation to restart the construction of the long-awaited Madala Tea Factory in Shinyalu sub-County. 

Deputy Governor Ayub Savula stated that Governor Fernandes Barasa would inaugurate the project in the second week of December, marking a significant step for local tea farmers who have awaited the factory’s completion since its initial launch in 2016. 

“The governor is expected to launch the construction, which will benefit local farmers,” Mr Savula said, emphasizing the importance of the project for the local tea farming community. 

The factory’s construction has faced delays due to disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2022 election period. 

In preparation for the factory’s operation, the county government has distributed tea seedlings to encourage more farmers to engage in tea cultivation. 

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) board member Abungana Khasiani highlighted the need to raise annual tea leaf production from 3 million kilos to at least 5 million kilos to sustain the factory. 

Governor Barasa has already distributed over 400,000 tea seedlings to boost local production. 

Currently, Kakamega County cultivates 626.5 hectares of tea, yielding approximately 4,322.85 tons annually. 

To streamline the project, Governor Barasa appointed Deputy Governor Savula to spearhead revival efforts and formed a project implementation committee to assess and develop a comprehensive report. 

The committee’s findings are expected in six months and will inform the next stages of the factory’s development. 

The funding comes as the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) continues to pursue market expansion strategies to reduce Kenya’s reliance on Pakistan and Egypt as the primary tea importers. 

According to a recent quarterly report, TBK is implementing a five-year plan focused on diversifying markets, targeting 13 emerging destinations, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and several countries in Asia and Africa. 

To ensure quality standards, TBK has urged local tea factories to adopt the green leaf quality assessment programme. 

KTDA-managed factories have been advised to maintain high quality, which is critical for expanding market reach. Private tea factories in the western regions have also been encouraged to enhance the quality of their produce. 

From July to September 2024, Kenya exported tea worth Sh2.24 billion (US$17.4M), amounting to 155.09 million kilograms—a substantial increase from the 120.24 million kilograms exported in the same period the previous year. 

TBK Chief Executive Willy Mutai attributed the growth in earnings to increased international demand, driven in part by the depreciation of the Kenyan shilling against the US dollar.