History of Tea in Kenya

Tea was introduced to Kenya in 1903 by G.W.L. Canine and in the 1930’s commercial planting began. Although planting was cut back in 1933 because of a depressed market, tea is today one of Kenya’s most important cash crops.

The first Tea bushes have grown into large trees, forming an historical feature on what is now Unilever’s Mabroukie Tea Estate.

In Kenya there are both large plantations and what are called smallholdings. Kenya is the largest producers of tea in Africa, and it has quadrupled its exports over the last decade. Tea is also one of the most important drinks in the country itself.

The Tea Board of Kenya and the Tea Research Institute work constantly to help the industry, and the returns from the industry, help the country.

Currently, Kenya prides itself as one of the world’s leading black Tea producers.