Kenya maintains suspension of Rainforest Alliance certification for tea factories pending review of benefits, sustainability 

KENYA – The suspension of Rainforest Alliance certification and audit processes for Kenyan tea factories will remain in effect pending a comprehensive review of its relevance, benefits, and sustainability, government and industry stakeholders have confirmed.  

The decision follows a consultative meeting chaired by Kenya’s Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh and Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, involving representatives from Rainforest Alliance, Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA), private producers, and other sector players. 

The certification, introduced in 2006, has been deemed economically unsustainable by stakeholders, who highlighted its limited impact in key export markets such as the United Kingdom, which accounts for only 8 percent of Kenya’s tea exports.  

Despite this, the high costs of compliance have been borne by tea factories and ultimately passed on to farmers. 

“After thorough deliberations, it was resolved that the certification will remain suspended until a technical team submits a detailed report outlining its actual benefits and a sustainable implementation framework,” said Principal Secretary Ronoh. 

The government initially suspended the certification last month, citing disproportionate costs with minimal demonstrated value.

A circular from PS Ronoh raised concerns that the financial burden of certification unfairly falls on producers rather than end consumers who demand certified products.  

“This burden should rightly be borne by the end consumer, who demands certified products, rather than by the grower,” Ronoh stated. 

The suspension directive, effective immediately, instructs all tea factories to halt ongoing and upcoming Rainforest Alliance audits and certifications.  

The order has been communicated to CEOs of KTDA, TBK, Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA), Independent Tea Producers Association of Kenya (ITPAK), and KTDA Management Services. 

This move aligns with the government’s broader efforts to reduce production costs and protect smallholder farmers’ livelihoods amid high expenses and shrinking earnings. 

Rainforest Alliance is a global non-profit that certifies farms and companies meeting environmental, social, and economic sustainability standards.  

The certification assures international buyers that tea is produced responsibly, promoting biodiversity, fair labor practices, and improved farmer livelihoods. Certified products often access premium markets and sustainability-conscious consumers. 

However, concerns have grown over the high compliance costs, especially for smallholder farmers, prompting the current suspension as stakeholders seek a balanced, economically viable certification model. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.