The Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) has urged the National Government to swiftly intervene to rescue Kenya’s tea sector, citing years of decline, market failures, and alleged cartel activity. This call comes after Iran, a major tea importer, banned Kenyan tea in 2023 due to a controversial consignment, significantly impacting farmers' earnings.

• GTAP called for an urgent government action to protect tea farmers and restore export confidence, and address the ban imposed by Iran on Kenyan tea in 2023.

• The ban and sector decline are attributed to weak oversight, market failures, and alleged cartel activity, putting millions of livelihoods at risk, particularly in counties like Murang’a, Kiambu, Kericho, Nandi, and Nyeri.

• GTAP proposed several measures, including a national tea payment timeline within 30 days, a nationwide export traceability program within 90 days, and the appointment of a high-level Tea Market Recovery Envoy within 14 days.