Nairobi: Kenyan tea stakeholders are partnering with the French Development Agency (AFD), the French Embassy in Kenya, and Equity Group to support an ongoing feasibility study on Geographical Indications (GI), a tool aimed at boosting the international branding and value of Kenyan tea.
According to Kenya News Agency, the study, conducted by the Centre for International Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), has been ongoing since September and is expected to conclude in December 2025. It focuses on tea-growing areas around the Aberdare ranges, the Mt. Kenya region, and the Kericho highlands. The findings will inform strategies for implementing GI across all tea-growing regions in Kenya.
Willy Mutai, the CEO of the Tea Board of Kenya, stated that the study seeks to document the unique qualities of Kenyan tea linked to their geographic origins. It aims to explore how branding them as origin-specific products can increase value and competitiveness in global markets. He emphasized that Geographical Indications can position Kenyan tea as a world-class origin brand, protecting farmers’ heritage while improving their earnings.
Mutai added that potential benefits to farmers and the industry could include increased incomes through premium pricing for origin-certified tea, strengthened global recognition of ‘Kenya Tea’ alongside iconic teas such as Darjeeling and Ceylon, encouraged sustainable production and community-based development, and fostered collaboration among growers, factories, and marketers in protecting and promoting Kenya’s tea identity.
The initiative is supported by Kenya’s Geographical Indications Act (Cap 508), the Industrial Property Act (2001), and global agreements like WTO’s TRIPS and AfCFTA’s IP Protocol, which provide legal grounds for protecting origin-linked products. The Tea Board of Kenya has affirmed that the study will guide a national GI strategy for the tea industry, enhancing quality, reputation, and value for farmers across the country.
Kenya’s tea industry is a major global player, making it a top tea exporter after China and India and a leading foreign exchange earner. It is seeking Geographical Indication (GI) status to brand its produce, attract premium prices, and protect its unique qualities from misuse. While Kenya does not yet have a comprehensive GI law, stakeholders are working with international partners to develop branding strategies through existing trademark laws, which currently offer protection via certification marks.
The initiative aims to boost farmer earnings by ensuring the distinctiveness and quality of Kenyan tea in the global market.
