Key Tea Industry Institutions

The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), established in 1950 under the Tea Act (Cap 343) of the laws of Kenya is mandated to regulate the tea industry in all aspects of tea growing, research, manufacture, trade and promotion in both the local and the international markets. The Board also disseminates information relating to tea and advises the Government on all policy matters regarding the tea industry through the Ministry of Agriculture.

Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK), Located in the lush green tea carpet of Kericho is the technical arm of the Tea Board of Kenya. With a mandate  to carry out research on tea and advise growers on the control of pests and diseases, improvement of planting material, general husbandry, yields and quality.  The Foundation has so far developed and released to growers over 45 well-adapted clones.

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Ltd, Previously a state corporation was incorporated as a private company in June 2000.  KTDA Ltd. currently manages 58 tea factories in the smallholder sub-sector serving over 500,000 growers.

Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA), established by large-scale tea producers to promote the common interests of the members in the cultivation and manufacture of tea and to promote good industrial relations and sound wage policies for the workers.  The plantation sub-sector maintains 39 tea factories.

Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation (NTZDC), is a State Corporation established to manage the tea belts around the forest zones planted to create buffer zones meant to protect the Natural forests from human encroachment.

East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), brings together tea Producers, Brokers, Buyers and Packers and is the auspices under which the Mombasa Tea Auction is conducted.

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) The mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture is to promote and facilitate production of food and agricultural raw materials for food security and incomes; advance agro-based industries and agricultural exports; and enhance sustainable use of land resources as a basis for agricultural enterprises.