President William Ruto has revealed how a meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit in Zimbabwe led to a breakthrough for Kenyan tea exporters.
Ruto has announced the lifting of a 20-month ban on Kenyan tea imports, reopening an important export market for local producers and traders. In a statement on Wednesday, November 11, the head of state said the decision followed his engagement with Sudan's Prime Minister, Professor Kamil Idris, on the sidelines of the COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“Following my engagement with Sudan’s Prime Minister, Professor Kamil Idris, on the sidelines of the COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, I am pleased that Sudan has lifted its ban on Kenyan tea imports, ending a restriction that had been in place for 20 months,” Ruto said.
Ruto Secures Major Win for Kenyan Tea
Ruto said the lifting of the restriction would restore opportunities for Kenyan tea exporters and support the livelihoods of farmers and their families.
The President welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive development for Kenya's tea trade and bilateral relations with Sudan.
“Kenya welcomes and appreciates this decision, which reopens an important market for our tea, restores opportunities for our exporters and supports the livelihoods of our farmers and their families.”
