Kenya’s rigid tax policy helps export tea jobs, say traders

Workers at Iria-ini Tea Factory go about their daily duties. Tea traders at the Mombasa auction told the Standard that Value Added Tax (VAT) was the main reason investors are not keen to venture into packaging or processing of the popular beverage. (PHOTO: JOHN GATHUA/ STANDARD)

Kenya could be exporting thousands of jobs in the tea value chain due to stringent taxation measures at home.

Tea traders at the Mombasa auction told the Standard that Value Added Tax (VAT) was the main reason investors are not keen to venture into packaging or processing of the popular beverage.