Kericho: The Ministry of Education has signed a landmark collaboration agreement with Lipton Teas and Infusions to establish a Tea Academy at the University of Kabianga in Kericho County. The academy aims to transform Kenya’s tea industry through advanced training, research, and climate-smart farming practices.
According to Kenya News Agency, the partnership, which also involves Ekaterra Global Operations-the corporate entity behind Lipton-comes nearly two years after initial discussions between President William Ruto and Lipton’s CEO Nathalie Roos in May 2023. Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos Ogamba hailed the initiative as a significant step towards aligning education with industry needs, adding that the agreement will be a major boost for tea farmers in the region, who stand to benefit from enhanced production techniques and access to global best practices.
CS Ogamba stated that the Tea Academy will be based at the University of Kabianga, strategically located in the heart of Kenya’s tea-growing belt, and will serve as a hub for farmer training, research, and innovation focused on sustainable tea production and climate resilience. The Academy aims to expose farmers to technologies that address climate change, promote low-carbon practices, and improve productivity. The collaboration is designed to boost productivity and increase the earnings of smallholder farmers by adopting modern and sustainable practices, enabling them to command better prices in both local and international markets.
Ogamba emphasized the government’s broader vision for higher education institutions to become engines of innovation and development, noting that the Tea Academy will play a critical role in helping Kenya maintain its reputation as a leading global exporter of high-quality tea. He underscored the importance of strategic partnerships for the sustainability of universities, expecting them to engage in cutting-edge research and commercialize innovations that can transform industries.
With implementation expected to commence immediately, stakeholders expressed optimism that the Tea Academy would begin operations by the end of 2025, with its first cohort of farmers and researchers enrolled shortly thereafter. Kericho Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, who also attended the ceremony, commended the government for establishing the Lipton Tea Innovation and Technology Academy (LTITA) at the University of Kabianga. He remarked that it will drive research, innovation, and value addition in tea production, ultimately boosting farmers’ earnings. Dr. Mutai added that the inaugural academy is expected to train over 3,000 Kenyans annually, building globally competitive talent for the tea industry.