More companies seek tea trade green light

The firms had applied for licensing before they were inspected by the Tea Directorate to ensure they meet the necessary standards. [Courtesy]

Seventeen companies that have applied for licences to deal with tea face with one final hurdle in their quest for approval.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has given Kenyans 14 days to raise their objections in granting licences to the companies.

Gazette notice

In the Kenya Gazette notice, the firms are seeking to be issued with licences to venture into processing and packaging activities, with most of them registered to operate in Nairobi.

Two firms, Horera Tea and Mara Tea Factories, which are based Nyeri and Narok counties respectively, are seeking licences for processing tea.

Bomet County’s Greenfield Tea Factory is seeking authority to venture into the tea packing category. 

The regulator’s interim director Antony Mureithi said the law demands all those engaging in tea and coffee trade must be licensed.

“Those contravening the law are dealt with to ensure there is sanity in the sectors,” said Mr Mureithi.

The firms had applied for licensing before they were inspected by the Tea Directorate to ensure they meet the necessary standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture.