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{
    "id": 1526686,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1526686/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 158,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mutahi Kagwe",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 229,
        "legal_name": "Mutahi Kagwe",
        "slug": "mutahi-kagwe"
    },
    "content": "the Senate for this opportunity, particularly Sen. (Dr.) Murango. I would like to express my response to these two questions. I would like to express the fact that I feel like I am talking from the wrong place because my seat is over there. I feel like I am talking from the wrong side of the House. It is always nice to be back. In response to the issue of tea reforms, I will first address the measures that the Government has taken to prevent the mixing of different qualities of tea before being sold at the Mombasa Auction. The mixing of different qualities of teas does not happen before the teas are sold at the auction. However, after the auction, teas are mixed for blending. Different markets have different tastes and preferences for tea, which they have formed over time. For example, the Turkish market likes very tough teas, while other markets might like lighter teas. The Yemeni market likes tough tea or very concentrated tea, while other markets might want lighter ones. Blending is undertaken after the sale of tea at the auction because the buyers want to achieve certain product tastes, flavours and attributes that are discerned by the consumers' designs in the respective markets. The Government has put in place several measures to ensure quality control and prevent the mixing of different qualities of tea before selling it at the Mombasa Tea Auction. One is that the Government has developed a standard, KS2128, to guide tea blending. Compliance with the standard ensures compliance with food safety and hygiene standards and requirements. The Government, through the Tea Board of Kenya, undertakes compliance audits of all the country's tea warehouses and blending facilities every quarter. Thirdly, the Tea Board of Kenya also undertakes surveillance audits of the factories to ascertain compliance with good agricultural and manufacturing practices and the terms and conditions of the manufacturing licences. Fourthly, in terms of regulatory standards, the Tea Board of Kenya enforces the provisions of the Tea Act, 2020 regarding the grading and classification of tea. Producers are required to adhere to these standards and ensure that only high-quality tea reaches the auction. Tea manufacturers are subjected to regular quality inspections by regulatory bodies. These inspections assess compliance with quality standards and ensure that different grades are not mixed. There is also the aspect of traceability, which is number six. The Government encourages the adoption of traceability systems that allow tea to be tracked from the farm to the auction. This helps maintain the integrity of different tea qualities. We also carry out training and capacity building. The Government provides training for tea farmers and processors on quality standards, proper handling and storage practices to prevent contamination or mixing. There are penalties for non-compliance. High penalties are imposed on tea manufacturers and traders who are found to mix different qualities of tea, which serves as a deterrent against further practice. In response to the Senator's issue regarding the gains that have been attained from the implementation of the tea reforms so far, as well as the commitment towards the continued implementation of the reforms to ensure better returns for tea farmers across the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."
}