KTDA appoints Kanja Thuku as Acting CEO
The leadership change comes amid a boardroom dispute over the chairmanship, with court orders preserving Enos Njeru’s position as KTDA chairman.
KENYA – The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has appointed Kanja Thuku as its acting Chief Executive Officer, replacing Eng Francis Miano, who is proceeding on retirement.
The appointment takes effect on November 10, 2026, following a strategic management review session convened by the agency’s leadership.
KTDA Holding Board Chairman Enos Njeru said Thuku brings more than three decades of experience and extensive institutional knowledge to the position.
“Kanja is a seasoned leader with over 34 years of experience and currently serves as Group Director, Special Programmes at KTDA. He brings extensive experience and deep institutional knowledge to the role,” Njeru said.
The board directed the incoming acting CEO to prioritise stabilising earnings for smallholder tea factories and advancing institutional reforms aimed at reducing production overheads.
Miano, who is proceeding on retirement, has taken his annual and terminal leave in accordance with KTDA’s Human Resource Policy and Procedure Manual and a board directive.
He assumed the acting CEO position in January 2026 following the departure of former Group CEO Wilson Muthaura.
Thuku holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi. His professional training includes management and leadership, logistics and fleet management, project management, food manufacturing, agricultural practices, sustainability strategies and climate-smart systems.
The management transition comes amid an ongoing leadership dispute at KTDA involving Njeru’s position as board chairman.
The agency recently published a statement confirming that Njeru remains its substantive chairman following a court order granting conservatory orders of stay against his removal.
Last week, KTDA announced the election of James Githinji Mwangi as its new chairman. However, Njeru challenged the November 3 meeting at which the election took place, questioning its legitimacy.
He alleged that six board members had not been notified of the meeting and were unaware that another meeting had been scheduled.
The dispute has raised concerns over the agency’s governance and its management of the interests of hundreds of thousands of smallholder tea farmers.
The new acting CEO is expected to oversee the agency’s operations and ongoing reforms as the board addresses the leadership transition and its priorities for the tea sector.
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