Kakamega Set for Tea Factory Construction as County Moves to Boost Agriculture and Job Creation

Dennis Weche – Kakamega, Kenya

The construction of the Amadala Tea Factory is set to begin in February, marking a significant milestone in Governor Fernandes Barasa’s agenda to enhance food security, job creation, and wealth generation in Kakamega County.

To ensure a successful launch, the Ministry of Agriculture has taken proactive steps to guarantee the availability of quality raw materials. A team from the ministry recently inspected a consignment of 355,000 high-quality tea seedlings at the Kenya Tea Research Institute in Kericho. These seedlings will be distributed to local farmers at the onset of the long rains, ensuring sustainable tea production to support the factory’s operations.

The factory, once completed, is expected to provide a major economic boost to the region by creating direct and indirect employment opportunities. Thousands of smallholder farmers in Kakamega and neighboring counties will benefit from a ready market for their produce, improved earnings, and value addition in the tea sector.

Governor Barasa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a key economic driver. The tea factory aligns with his broader development strategy, which includes mechanization of farming, provision of subsidized farm inputs, and investment in agro-processing industries to increase value addition and reduce post-harvest losses.

In addition to enhancing agricultural productivity, the factory is expected to position Kakamega as an emerging tea production hub, complementing Kenya’s standing as one of the world’s leading tea exporters. The project also supports the county’s goal of diversifying its agricultural sector beyond sugarcane farming, offering farmers alternative and sustainable income sources.

As preparations for the construction continue, stakeholders, including the national government, private investors, and farmer cooperatives, have been urged to collaborate in ensuring the factory’s long-term success.