TBK Pushes for Gender Equality in Tea Industry Leadership
The Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring women take up leadership roles in the tea sector as part of efforts to enhance gender equality and economic empowerment. Speaking at Ernestea Factory during International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, TBK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Willy Mutai announced that the government is finalizing corporate governance regulations to mandate gender balance in decision-making positions within the tea industry.
Mutai said the tea industry, which supports over 834,129 farmers, relies heavily on women, particularly in harvesting, processing, packaging, and trade. Despite their vital contribution, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. He noted that in the recent Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) elections, out of 324 directors, only 19 women were elected to tea factory boards. He emphasized the need for policies that promote inclusivity, recognizing women as key drivers of the sector’s growth.
During the event, Ernestea Factory was lauded for its contributions to the sector. The factory, founded by the late Ambassador Ernest Langat and his wife Ludiah Langat, has grown into a leading producer of specialty teas, including black, purple, and yellow tea. Factory spokesperson Rosemary Langat-Rop highlighted their journey, revealing that Ernestea’s purple tea was ranked Kenya’s best in 2024 through blind testing. She said their mission is to share high-quality tea with the world, and they remain committed to expanding their capacity and market reach. She urged aspiring female entrepreneurs to embrace transparency, good governance, and fairness in their business operations to achieve success.
Mutai emphasized that TBK is not only advocating for leadership opportunities for women but also supporting investments that empower them economically. He praised Ernestea for demonstrating that women can own and manage tea factories, breaking the long-standing norm where women grow tea but do not control its production or trade.
Among those present at the event were officials from the Belgut sub-county office, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), representatives from Fairtrade Africa, Rainforest Alliance, Trust Africa, and Ethical Tea Partnership. With the tea industry being a major contributor to Kenya’s economy, the push for gender inclusivity in leadership is expected to create a more balanced and prosperous sector for all stakeholders.
TBK Pushes for Gender Equality in Tea Industry Leadership
