By John Kariuki
Kirinyaga Senator James Murango has strongly opposed any attempts to introduce additional taxes on Kenya’s tea value chain, warning that such moves would further burden farmers already grappling with tough economic times.
Speaking in the Senate, Murango directed a question to the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, seeking clarity on the government's taxation policy regarding the tea subsector. He expressed concern over reports suggesting that new levies may be introduced, despite the ongoing challenges facing tea exporters.
“I raised concerns about any plans to introduce more unnecessary taxes on the tea subsector, especially at a time when the industry is already struggling due to the recent trade embargo from Khartoum, Sudan,” said the senator.
Sudan has long been a key market for Kenyan tea exports. The recent trade embargo has disrupted the flow of produce and impacted farmers' income, particularly in tea-growing regions like Kirinyaga. Murango noted that instead of imposing new taxes, the government should focus on supporting tea farmers and safeguarding the country's foreign exchange earnings from the sector.
“Our farmers deserve support, not added burdens,” Murango emphasized. “As a senator representing a tea-growing county, I will reject in totality any plans to overburden the tea farmers who are already grappling with the high cost of living.”
Murango’s stance reflects growing resistance among lawmakers from agricultural regions who argue that taxation should be balanced with the urgent need to protect livelihoods and ensure the competitiveness of Kenya’s cash crops.
He called on the government to adopt more farmer-friendly policies and provide a stable, predictable environment for exporters, especially during global disruptions like the Sudan embargo.
With tea being one of Kenya’s top foreign exchange earners, the debate over its taxation is expected to feature prominently in coming parliamentary sessions, particularly as the country prepares its next budget cycle.
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