Kalonzo pushes for reopening of Sudanese market for Kenyan tea

By Maurice Momanyi

Wiper Patriotic Front and Azimio la Umoja Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has intensified efforts to have Sudan lift its ban on Kenyan tea exports, warning that the closure of the market is hurting farmers, traders and exporters.

Kalonzo made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit to the offices of the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) in Mombasa, where he held discussions with the association’s leadership, including Managing Director and CEO George Omuga.

The engagement followed his recent meeting with officials from the Sudanese Embassy over the restrictions on Kenyan tea exports.

Kalonzo said Sudan has traditionally been one of Kenya’s key tea markets, importing about 35 million kilogrammes of Kenyan tea annually, with the trade valued at approximately USD 70 million.

He said the ban has disrupted the tea supply chain, leaving tea valued at more than USD 23 million stranded, including hundreds of containers at the Port of Mombasa.

According to Kalonzo, the disruption has increased costs for exporters while threatening farmers’ earnings and Kenya’s foreign exchange revenues.

He warned that the loss of a major export destination could have broader consequences for tea prices and the wider economy, given the sector’s significant contribution to Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings.

Kalonzo reaffirmed his commitment to lobbying for the reopening of the Sudanese market while also advocating for Kenya to diversify its tea export destinations.

He said his 13-point agenda for Kenya prioritises increased production, value addition, market expansion and economic diplomacy as key pillars of economic recovery.

The Wiper leader argued that Kenya should focus on producing more, adding value to its products and expanding international trade rather than relying heavily on taxation and borrowing.

He also called for stronger support for tea farmers, traders and cooperatives, as well as greater investment in value addition to enable Kenyan producers to earn better returns from their products.

Kalonzo said his visit to EATTA was part of a broader programme of engagements with key economic sectors, through which he plans to interact with farmers, traders, manufacturers and investors across the country.