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The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Group CEO, Wilson Muthaura, recently hosted a significant meeting with Kenyan Ambassadors Designate Dr. Peter Mathuki to Russia, Lt. General (Rtd) Peter M. Njiru to Pakistan, and Lt. General (Rtd) Jonah M. Mwangi to Iran at the KTDA Headquarters.
The engagement was focused on strengthening Kenya’s tea market presence internationally and overcoming trade challenges.
During the meeting, Muthaura provided an in-depth overview of KTDA’s aggregation model, which integrates the smallholder tea value chain through nine specialized subsidiaries. This model, he explained, has been instrumental in ensuring efficiency and maximizing value addition, particularly as KTDA seeks to expand its market share in Europe and Africa. Emphasizing the importance of quality and value-added products, Muthaura underscored KTDA’s commitment to maintaining high standards as the cornerstone of its market growth strategy.
The ambassadors, who are set to take up their posts in Russia, Pakistan, and Iran, expressed strong support for KTDA’s initiatives. They conveyed their eagerness to assist in increasing market volumes for Kenyan tea in their respective countries and to address any trade obstacles that might hinder market access. The ambassadors’ commitment to championing Kenyan tea abroad is seen as a pivotal step in enhancing the country’s export footprint.
The meeting also included participation from key KTDA officials, including Mohammed Elyas, Foreign Service Officer; Simeon Rugutt, Group Finance and Strategy Director; Kanja Thuku, General Manager of Operations; and Vincent Mwingirwa, Acting General Manager of Sales & Marketing. The presence of these senior KTDA executives highlighted the organization’s coordinated efforts to leverage diplomatic channels for the benefit of Kenya’s smallholder tea farmers.
As the ambassadors prepare for their new roles, this collaboration between KTDA and the Kenyan diplomatic corps is poised to open new markets and solidify Kenya’s position as a leading global tea exporter.
