Stakeholders seek to make Kenyan tea top brand in the global market

Key stakeholders have shown interest in Kenya’s tea, with focus on utilisation of the Geographical Indications (GI), which will facilitate branding of the produce from Murang’a.

The GI initiative, backed by the French embassy, Equity Bank and Murang’a county government will assist in branding Kenyan tea to attract premium prices.

The delegation led by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, French envoy to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi toured Kiru and Nduti tea factories in Mathioya and Kandara, in preparation for the launch of the GI.

The use of the GI will start branding the Murang’a tea, which produces 40 per cent of Kenya's tea produced for export and farmers will get value from selling the produce.

The French envoy explained that the initiative will label tea, assist in ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/amp/business/article/2001513712/kagwe-reports-rise-in-tea-export-earnings">tracing its originality< and brand Kenyan tea in the international market.

Mr Arnaud said that Murang’a is endowed with good climate, altitude, soil and cultural diversity, and its economy and trade are largely based on agriculture. 

“Champagne is an example of a Geographical Indication, in France and marketed throughout the world,” he said.

The envoy noted that Murang'a has the best high altitude tea that the world is willing to pay a significant premium. 

“Farmers will be the custodian of quality because the quality will define the brand and the price the consumer will be willing to pay,” he said. 

The governor said Murang'a produces the best tea quality in the 10 factories, and through the initiative, will help boost local development.

Kang’ata revealed that GI will prevent delocalisation of production, and contribute to a better understanding of local products and their unique qualities.

“The GI will prevent other investors from using our tea brand or symbol on products as they are protected under intellectual property rights,” he said.

He noted that Murang’a produces  coffee, avocado, tea, and milk that will be linked to the GI.

Equity Bank CEO said the farmers will sell their commodities in the international market and earn more.

Dr Mwangi said the the project will ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001505397/state-explores-new-markets-to-grow-tea-exports">expand to other agricultural products< like coffee, dairy and macadamia nuts.  

“Working with the French embassy will help facilitate global marketing of agricultural products by leveraging its diplomatic ties and knowledge of the global market, as well as collaborating with Kenyan agricultural stakeholders,” he said.

Others present were members of the Murang’a Budget and Economic Council including Equity Bank’s  Dr Isaac Macharia, Dr Peter Munga, and Media Mogul Dr S K Macharia among others.