Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has issued a fresh warning over planned changes to the Tea Act, arguing that new levies under consideration could strain farmers and weaken one of Kenya’s most important export sectors.
In a statement shared on X, the lawmaker said the proposed Tea Amendment Bill risks placing an additional financial load on growers already grappling with numerous deductions.
Wamuchomba stated that the tea industry, which is a key driver of foreign exchange inflows, cannot sustain further taxation without undermining national economic goals.
She said Kenyan tea currently faces 42 separate taxes and charges, a situation she believes has limited farmers’ earnings and discouraged long-term investment in the crop.
The MP’s remarks come as Parliament prepares to revisit the Tea Amendment Bill, a process expected to attract considerable debate given the sector’s central role in rural economies.
Tea remains a major employer in counties such as Kericho, Bomet, Kiambu, and Murang’a, where smallholder farmers rely heavily on stable global prices and predictable regulatory frameworks.
According to Wamuchomba, the introduction of new levies reflects deeper governance challenges within the legislative process.
She claimed that Parliament has increasingly aligned with executive interests, reducing space for critical scrutiny of policies affecting producers.
Her comments mirror long-standing concerns within the agricultural sector about the consistency and predictability of national regulations.
Kenya’s tea industry has historically been viewed as a stabilizing force in the country’s export basket, particularly during periods of fluctuating global commodity prices.
However, farmer associations have frequently argued that rising operational costs and multiple statutory deductions continue to erode profitability at the smallholder level.
0 Comments