GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 14817

IT IS notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development has appointed a Taskforce to investigate the underlying causes and impacts of accumulation of unsold tea and propose short, medium and long- term solutions. 1. The Taskforce shall comprise of the following— Nicholas Munyi Kagua — Chairperson Members: Paul Sang Vincent Mwingirwa Linda A. Oluoch Terry Gathagu Peter Owoko Seth Agala Masaya Jane Njeri Kabura Benson Nyagol Daniel Kosgei Peter Kimanga Michael Mandu Willy K. Mutai Patrick Ngunjiri Maina John Njiru Kathangu Secretariat: Seth Masese — Head of Secretariat Timothy Ogwang Peter Kibiku Benson Kamau 15th November, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE Elizabeth Shungula Kipkemboi Tanui 2. The terms of reference of the Taskforce are to— (a) investigate the effect of the minimum reserve price on the prevailing accumulation of unsold tea and delayed payments; (b) investigate the conditions and charges of warehousing and the quality and shelf life of accumulated unsold tea; (c) investigate the roles of regulatory and other agencies along the tea supply chain to determine any unfair trade practices and their influence in the accumulation of unsold teas and delayed payments; (d) propose short, medium and long-term practical measures to address the prevailing accumulation of unsold teas, prices and delayed payments; (e) investigate the effect of private factories in West Rift on tea prices, quality and tea trade; (f) review the performance of the Kenya Tea Development Agency factories and propose measures to enhance their efficiency; (g) investigate the reasons for the huge differences in tea prices between the East of Rift and West of Rift and make appropriate proposals; (h) investigate the increase in the number of tea blenders in the auction and the effect on current tea trade; (i) propose necessary policies, legal and regulatory framework or guidelines to be established for sustainable solutions for the identified problems; (j) develop a plan of action to implement the proposed interventions; and (k) investigate any other tea trade-related factors that impact sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction and returns to smallholder producers. 3. The Taskforce shall have power to— (a) nominate an acting Chairperson from amongst the members of the Taskforce in the absence of the Chairperson; (b) hold meetings, public forums and consultations with stakeholders in the tea sector to solicit, receive, consider, and collate inputs that may be useful for the performance of its mandate; (c) hold meetings in any part of the country; and (d) co-opt experts from the tea sector as may be necessary. The Taskforce shall, within fourteen days of the expiry of its term, submit a Report of its findings to the Cabinet Secretary on the causes and impacts of accumulation of unsold tea and recommendations on the— (a) necessary policies, legal and regulatory framework or guidelines to be established for sustainable solutions for the identified problems; and (b) plan of action to implement proposed interventions. In carrying out its mandate, the Taskforce shall be answerable to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The Secretariat of the Taskforce shall be at Kilimo House, Cathedral Road, P. O. Box 30028–00100, Nairobi. The term of Office of the Taskforce shall be for a period of sixty (60) days with effect from date of publication of this notice and the Cabinet Secretary may, when necessary, extend the term of the Taskforce. Dated the 15th November, 2024. ANDREW M. KARANJA, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development.