KTDA elects James Githinji Mwangi as new Chairman
The leadership transition comes less than eight months after Njeru reclaimed the chairmanship, following a series of board changes and leadership disputes at the agency.
KENYA – The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings board has elected James Githinji Mwangi as its new chairman, replacing Enos Njeru following a fresh board election announced on November 3, 2026.
KTDA also confirmed that Samson Mosonik Menjo would retain his position as vice chairman following the leadership changes.
The agency did not disclose the circumstances surrounding Njeru’s departure or provide details of the board election that resulted in Mwangi’s appointment.
In a statement, KTDA assured tea farmers and other stakeholders that the leadership transition would not affect its operations, reaffirming its commitment to supporting smallholder growers and improving operational efficiency.
“KTDA reassures all stakeholders that business operations will proceed seamlessly, with an unwavering focus on driving efficiency and promoting the best interests of tea farmers,” the agency said.
Mwangi takes over an institution that plays a central role in Kenya’s tea industry, supporting more than 700,000 smallholder farmers through tea processing, factory management and the marketing of their produce.
His appointment comes less than eight months after Njeru returned to the chairmanship in March 2026. Njeru was elected on March 4, replacing Chege Kirundi, who had assumed the position in January 2025 following an earlier board election.
Kirundi’s appointment had followed another leadership change that saw Njeru lose the chairmanship. Njeru had initially taken over the position in July 2023 following the resignation of David Ichoho.
He was subsequently re-elected in August 2024 for another three-year term before Kirundi’s election in January 2025 changed the agency’s leadership.
When Njeru returned to the position in March 2026, KTDA said the board remained committed to strengthening corporate governance, protecting farmers’ value and improving the competitiveness of Kenyan tea in regional and international markets.
The agency has also been pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening governance, compliance and accountability across its operations.
However, KTDA has not announced any changes to its wider board structure or outlined new policy priorities following Mwangi’s election. Its latest statement instead emphasised operational continuity and the protection of farmers’ interests.
The leadership transition comes as Kenya’s tea industry continues to focus on improving returns to growers, strengthening institutional accountability and maintaining its competitiveness in international markets.
The agency said its immediate priorities remained efficiency and safeguarding farmers’ interests despite the change in chairmanship.
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