A photo of Agriculture & Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe speaking at a past event on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Ministry of Agriculture
The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has directed tea factories to immediately stop working with an international 'ethical' tea labeling company organisation that brands most of Kenya's tea destined for export.
According to the Guardian, Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh signed the memo directing tea factories to stop working with the Rainforest Alliance over the costs involved in securing the ethical label, asserting that it does not add up for farmers.
The non-profit organisation is one of the world’s most recognisable certification schemes, with its green frog seal on food packaging a sign that consumers “can feel confident that these products support a better world”.
Additionally, the global non-profit organisation works to promote sustainable agriculture, forestry, and responsible business practices.
The green frog seal appears on nearly 240 brands and is almost ubiquitous in UK supermarket tea ranges, with big names including Tetley, PG Tips, and Yorkshire Tea among those signed up. About half the tea consumed in the UK comes from Kenya.
Further, the government criticised the Rainforest Alliance for shifting certification costs from tea factories to farmers and growers, placing an added financial burden on already struggling smallholders. Ronoh argued that such costs “ordinarily should be met by the customers”, not the producers.
Moreover, Ronoh said that the Rainforest Alliance logo had not demonstrated a solid impact commensurate with the costs of implementation.
A recent Fairtrade Foundation poll found that only one in five tea workers and farmers in Kenya are earning enough each month to support their families with essentials.
The government is now considering putting in place a localised certification model that would likely have similar sustainability goals but lower compliance costs and less administrative complexity.
The developments come at a time when stakeholders in the tea sector raised concerns that there should be an immediate replacement so that Kenya's tea continues to thrive in the foreign market.
A spokesperson for the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), an NGO focused on tackling problems in the tea sector, said it hoped the Kenyan suspension would be ''short-lived and that a solution to this current impasse will be found''.
In 2024, Kenya earned approximately Ksh181.7 billion from tea exports, marking a continued rise in earnings following the record Ksh180.57 billion registered in 2023. The country continues to hold a strong position in the global tea market, with tea remaining a top foreign exchange earner.
Total tea sales—including local consumption and stock already committed for trade—reached Ksh215 billion in the same year. The performance was driven by increased demand in key markets such as Pakistan, Egypt, and the UK, despite growing concerns among stakeholders about the rising cost of compliance with international certification standards. by Frankline Oduor, Kenyans.co.ke
The family of a 12-year-old boy who died after being detained by security forces in South Sudan’s Torit town is demanding justice, alleging he was brutally beaten in custody. Authorities deny wrongdoing, claiming the boy was part of a criminal gang—a charge his family rejects.
The boy, identified as Peace Paul Arkangelo, was taken from his home in the early hours of June 1 by armed men whom locals say were guards of Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore. Witnesses allege the officers severely beat the child before he died in custody.
Family’s Account: A Nighttime Raid and Brutal Beating
Mary Redento Agura, the boy’s mother, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that armed men stormed their home around 1:30 a.m., demanding to know where her son was.
“They woke me by force, beating me with bamboo sticks,” she told Radio Tamazuj. “Five armed men—including the governor’s fat, brown boy—arrested my son. They knocked his head against mine, and he cried ‘Mama!’ three times before they took him away.”
She said she later found her son’s body at a police station, stripped naked and covered in wounds. “His chest and back were chopped. Blood was everywhere,” she said.
Authorities provided a coffin but no further assistance, she added. “The government must answer for this.”
Officials Deny Involvement
Torit Mayor Oyito Baptist Soforonio and Eastern Equatoria Information Minister Elia John Ahaji denied in a joint statement that the governor’s guards were involved.
Soforonio said security forces were targeting criminal gangs accused of violence and weapons possession. He confirmed a boy had died in custody but denied mistreatment.
“There is no credible evidence he was tortured,” Soforonio said. “Investigations are ongoing.”
Ahaji acknowledged the boy died in custody but said the forces involved were part of a multi-agency operation, not the governor’s guards.
“If investigations prove torture occurred, legal action will follow,” he said.
Human Rights Advocate Demands Accountability
Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), called for an independent investigation.
“This is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Gatwech said. “The rule of law must apply to everyone, regardless of power.”
He urged South Sudan’s Justice Ministry and human rights bodies to intervene, warning that impunity undermines the nation’s stability.
Local sources say tensions remain high in Torit, with residents accusing security forces of heavy-handed tactics. Radio Tamazuj
Nairobi: On Saturday June 6, 2025, prominent CHADEMA member and former Arusha MP Godbless Lema attempted to cross into Kenya for a scheduled medical appointment in Nairobi. Instead, he was detained for over four hours at the Namanga One Stop Border Post. Immigration officers confiscated his passport and ordered him to return to Arusha, instructing him to report to the Dodoma immigration headquarters for further “clarification”.
Lema, who suffers from severe pain and had an appointment with a Nairobi specialist, protested that he faced no charges or formal restrictions under Tanzanian law. “Nimezuiliwa kinyume na utaratibu wa sheria na immigration governing Order, sina kesi yoyote mahakamani wala hakuna malalamiko yoyote dhidi yangu jeshi la polisi … Nimenyimwa haki ya kusafiri na zaidi kupata matibabu Nairobi bila sababu ya msingi” (“I’ve been blocked contrary to legal and immigration procedures, with no court case or police complaint against me … I am denied the right to travel and access treatment in Nairobi without a valid reason.”).
CHADEMA decried the move as a targeted political feud, citing orders “from above” to oppress dissent. The Tanzania Immigration Service defended its action as routine, claiming Lema was merely “flagged” for identity verification. Rights observers warn that such restrictions on movement undermine civic space ahead of the October general elections and threaten fundamental freedoms.
The incident exacerbates diplomatic strains between Tanzania and Kenya, where lawmakers and activists have recently faced similar blocks and deportations. Observers caution that obstructing an opposition figure’s urgent medical travel signals deeper encroachments on human rights and sets a dangerous precedent within the East African Community. By Vincent Olando KDRTV
'This attack represents yet another deadly, unacceptable attack on civilians, humanitarian workers since beginning of this armed conflict 2 years ago,' says joint statement
The UK, and 29 other countries condemned attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan, according to a joint donor statement on Friday.
The donor countries said they "condemn in the strongest terms" the attack on a humanitarian convoy of 15 trucks from the World Food Program (WFP) and the UNICEF in Al Koma, North Darfur, on the night of June 2.
Recalling that the attacks resulted in the death of five members of the convoy and injuring several others, it said that four of the 15 trucks in the convoy were destroyed in the attack and five more sustained partial damage.
"These trucks were carrying about 100 metric tons of essential nutrition, health, education, and WASH supplies, intended to support children and families in El Fasher town," read the statement.
Stressing that the deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel is a violation of international law, the donor countries underlined that civilians and humanitarian workers must not be targeted by parties to the armed conflict.
"We urge all parties to allow civilians to safely exit areas with ongoing hostilities, and to guarantee immediate, unconditional, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver assistance to those in urgent need throughout Sudan," the readout said.
The statement also reiterated their call to the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their militias to "immediately cease hostilities" and uphold their obligations towards international humanitarian law.
"This attack represents yet another deadly and unacceptable attack on civilians and humanitarian workers since the beginning of this armed conflict two years ago, in blatant disregard of international humanitarian law."
The RSF and the army have been locked in a brutal power struggle since April 2023, resulting in thousands of deaths and pushing Sudan into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Anadolu Agency
CS Health Aden Duale (centre) is shown some of the contraband products sized by officers from public health in conjunction with KRA in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County yesterday. Looking on is Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Philip Kirwa (right) and other national and county officials. May 31, 2025. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]
The government has suffered a major setback after the High Court suspended a directive by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale that had halted all licenses and import clearances for the manufacture, importation, distribution, or sale of nicotine and related products.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye, on Thursday, issued a conservatory order staying the CS’s decision made on May 31, pending the determination of a case filed by Susan Awino, who has termed the move illegal, null, and void, arguing it usurps the powers of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner-General.
She further argues that neither the CS nor the Kenya Tobacco Control Board has the authority to license or cancel importation clearances for nicotine or related products.
“Pending the hearing and determination of the petition herein, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying the 2nd Respondent’s (Duale’s) impugned decision made on or about May 31, 2025, suspending all existing licenses and import clearances relating to the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, or promotion of nicotine and related products and requiring all previously licensed persons and entities to re-apply for the same,” ruled Justice Mwamuye.
While issuing the directive, CS Duale required all previously licensed persons and entities to re-apply for licenses within 21 days, subject to full compliance.
Awino, describing herself as a public-spirited citizen, told the court that the CS’s blanket suspension of licenses and importation clearances was issued without prior and adequate notice to affected dealers or the public.
She argued that it violated Section 4 of the Fair Administrative Action Act, 2015, which requires that those affected by an administrative decision be allowed to be heard.
“This rash decision by CS Duale to suspend licenses and clearances previously issued to dealers of nicotine and related products is ultra vires, illegal, and blatantly violates the rule of law under Article 10 of the Constitution, and the right to fair administrative action under Article 47,” Awino stated.
She added that the Ministry failed to consider the cost implications of obtaining licenses and clearances, thus burdening dealers and the public with unnecessary expenses and infringing upon their economic rights under Article 43 of the Constitution.
“To suspend the licenses and importation clearances of dealers in nicotine or related products is arbitrary, unreasonable, and not proportionate to the rights of the affected dealers,” she said.
“The declaration made by the minister purporting to cancel licenses held by dealers in tobacco products contravenes the Bill of Rights as well as the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. It is inconsistent with constitutional dictates and is therefore null and void to the extent of that inconsistency,” the petition reads.
Awino also told the court that, following CS Duale’s declaration, the Kenya Tobacco Control Board and other enforcement agencies had moved swiftly to implement the directive, throwing the sector into turmoil and undermining the legitimate expectations of both dealers and users of nicotine products in Kenya.
“Many importers, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors risk being driven out of business unless this matter is certified urgent and heard on a priority basis. If the declaration is not quashed, the adjudicatory authority of this Honourable Court will be rendered an academic exercise. Constitutional values will be violated, and dealers, users, and the general public will suffer immense violations of their rights,” she urged the court.
She also submitted that the suspension of licenses issued under Section 15 of the Excise Duty Act, 2024, falls under the mandate of the KRA Commissioner-General as per Section 20 of the same Act.
“Thus, the purported suspension of the licenses and import clearances by the Respondent is a usurpation of the powers of the Commissioner-General and therefore ultra vires, illegal, null, and void,” Awino stated.
Awino also pointed out that in 2022, the Ministry of Health, through the board, reviewed samples of electronic cigarettes in line with the Tobacco Control Act and Tobacco Control Regulations, 2014.
These products, she said, were found to be compliant with packaging and labelling requirements and were cleared for importation and sale in Kenya.
CS Duale issued the suspension directive on May 21, 2025, while attending World No Tobacco Day celebrations at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
Justice Mwamuye has directed the Ministry of Health, the Kenya Tobacco Control Board, and the Attorney General to file their responses by June 23.
The matter will be mentioned on July 3 for further directions. By Nancy Gitonga | The Standard
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