The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, chaired by Kirinyaga County Sen. James Kamau Murango received submissions on Tea (Amendment) Bill, 2023 at Sosiot Girls High School, Kericho County. The committee paid a courtesy call to the Kericho County Governor Eric Kipkoech Mutai and deliberated on issues affecting Tea farmers In Kericho County.

The Bill, which is sponsored by Bomet County Sen. Hillary K. Sigei seeks to amend certain provisions in the Tea Act, 2020, to protect the tea growers’ proceeds from mismanagement by factories. The Bill also aims to incentivise value addition of tea by exempting value added tea from payment of the tea levy. 

The Bill further seeks to liberalize the tea industry. This will be done through direct sales of tea overseas.

Senators present during the meeting are;

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, MP -Vice Chairperson 

Nominated Senator Beth Kalunda Syengo, MP

Bungoma Senator David Wakoli Wafula, MP

Bomet Senator Wakili Hillary Sigei, MP

Nyeri Senator Wamatinga Wamahome, MP

Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang, MP