Kenya: An inspiring journey with the ETP

By Josh Mordecai

Kenyan tea has long been a cornerstone of Good & Proper Tea’s range. From day one, Emilie served it in the van as a single-origin option for those who enjoy a bold, full-bodied cup. Today, Kenyan tea makes up nearly 25% of the total volume of tea we buy, and it remains a key component of all three of our breakfast blends, lending them the strength and rich flavor that makes for a perfect morning brew.

So, when I was invited to visit some of the ETP's (formally the Ethical Tea Partnership) projects in the region, to address some of the challenges outlined below and attend their inaugural forum on Kenyan tea in Nairobi, I jumped at the opportunity. Alongside gaining valuable insights into the region and its challenges from the ETP and its members—who bring a wealth of experience and many many years in the tea industry— I also had time to visit some of our longstanding suppliers in Kenya to strengthen the relationships that are central to what Good & Proper Tea does.

Tasting teas at Kangaita Tea Factory

A Brief History of Tea in Kenya

Nestled on the equator in East Africa, Kenya is now a global leader in tea production and one of the world’s largest exporters of black tea. Yet, the industry’s origins are rooted in a colonial legacy: tea was introduced in 1903 by British settlers, led by Scottish missionary G.W.L. Caine, under colonial rule.

The British promoted tea cultivation to exploit Kenya’s fertile highlands and climate for export markets benefiting British industry. Indigenous Kenyans were excluded from land ownership, while local communities often provided labor under forced conditions, facing poor working environments and heavy taxation to support the colonial administration.

After independence in 1963, Kenya’s tea industry transformed as land reforms allowed Kenyan farmers and cooperatives to participate in tea cultivation, leading to substantial growth.

Today, tea is a critical part of Kenya’s economy, with smallholder farmers producing over 60% of the country’s tea, often on land that was once restricted to them. Tea is now the country’s leading export making up almost 25% of total exports. The tea industry in Kenya directly and indirectly supports around 5 million Kenyans, roughly 10% of the country's population. This includes smallholder farmers, workers on large plantations, factory workers, and those involved in the broader supply chain.

Tea and coffee growing side by side on a smallholder's farm

Challenges facing the Kenyan tea industry

Like many tea-growing regions, Kenya faces the challenges of increasingly unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures brought about by climate change, all of which threaten yield and quality. Climate-related issues bring into focus Kenya’s reliance on wood fuel for tea processing, contributing to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Elsewhere, production costs continue to rise, with raw material costs spiralling, frequent adjustments in labor costs through collective bargaining, as well as layers of taxation, permits and costly certifications. Overproduction has compounded these financial pressures by driving auction prices down, which discourages quality assurance, and strains farmers and factories alike.

Regulatory inconsistency is another issue, as policies affecting tea are often introduced without consultation or alignment with an overarching National Tea Policy. Moreover, Kenya’s tea sector grapples with deeply rooted gender inequities that create vulnerabilities for women, who make up 60% of the workforce but hold under 20% of leadership roles. Recent reports, such as those from BBC Panorama, have highlighted ongoing issues of sexual exploitation on estates, underscoring the need for structural change.

ETP’s Kenya Forum

The scale of challenges facing the Kenyan tea industry are undeniably daunting—a reality acknowledged in the opening speech at the ETP’s two-day forum on Kenyan tea, which I attended in Nairobi. The forum gathered stakeholders from every corner of the Kenyan tea sector, from farmers and buyers to government officials and certification bodies, creating a platform for collective insight, collaboration and action.

While I came away overwhelmed by the scale of the systemic issues and challenges facing the Kenyan tea industry, I also left with a sense of hope. There was a clear drive and passion from everyone in the room to keep pushing for positive change. It was incredibly motivating to hear from so many individuals, organisations, and companies that care deeply about the future of the Kenyan tea industry and the millions of people who rely on it.

Good & Proper’s Impact

Being part of the ETP’s forum left me reflecting on where Good & Proper Tea fits within the Kenyan tea industry and, more broadly, how we can increase our positive impact as we continue to grow. Surrounded by some industry giants, I felt both inspired and humbled (particularly when a fellow attendee shared that their company purchases over 25 million kilos of Kenyan tea annually, compared to our 7,500😳). Yet, it was energising to find that, despite our size, other ETP members welcomed our insights and showed genuine enthusiasm for the role Good & Proper can play in creating meaningful change.

Planting trees so our visit leaves a lasting impression

 

By championing and increasing demand for high-quality, great tasting tea that’s fairly priced, we’re not only appealing to a new generation of tea drinkers but also helping people understand why paying more for their tea truly matters. Paying a fair price puts more money into the system, helping to ensure that farmers and workers earn a sustainable livelihood and that funds are available for reinvestment into infrastructure, farming practices, and quality control. Engaging an audience that cares about the origins and stories behind their tea, we play a unique role in building a sustainable future for the tea industry.