Karatina University, through the Directorate of Tea Institute, in collaboration with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Kipchimchim Group and other industry partners, has strengthened capacity development in Kenya’s tea sector through an intensive two-week Executive Course in Tea Production and Quality Assurance.
The training, held from 6th to 17th July 2026, brought together over 80 participants drawn from tea factories across Kenya, providing them with specialized knowledge and practical skills aimed at enhancing tea production, quality management, value addition, and competitiveness within the tea value chain.
The Executive Course was designed to address the evolving needs of the tea industry by equipping professionals with relevant competencies to improve operational efficiency, uphold quality standards, adopt sustainable production practices, and explore emerging opportunities within the sector.
The programme adopted a blended learning approach, with the first week delivered through online sessions and the second week dedicated to practical, hands-on training. The practical phase enabled participants to translate theoretical knowledge into practice through experiential learning, strengthening their technical skills in tea production, processing, and quality assurance.
Throughout the training, participants were taken through key areas including tea processing, tea quality evaluation, value addition, certification requirements, and food hygiene and safety practices in tea production. The course further focused on internationally recognized quality and sustainability standards, including ISO standards, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requirements, Fairtrade certification, and organic certification, among others. The participants gained deeper insights into quality control measures, compliance with local and international standards, and innovative approaches that can enhance the value, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Kenya’s tea industry.
The programme culminated in a certificate award ceremony, marking the successful completion of the training. Speaking during the event on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Richard Kiai, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning, Finance and Administration), commended the participants for their commitment, dedication, and successful completion of the course.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (P, F & A) addressing the audience during the closing ceremony.
Prof. Kiai appreciated the participants for investing their time and effort in advancing their professional skills and emphasized the importance of continuous learning in strengthening the capacity of professionals within the tea sector. He also acknowledged the partners and stakeholders whose collaboration and support contributed to the successful implementation of the training programme.
A section of the participants keenly following through the presentations
The certificate award ceremony celebrated the achievements of the participants and recognized their commitment to professional growth and excellence in tea production and quality management.
Through industry-driven training programmes such as the Executive Course in Tea Production and Quality Assurance, Karatina University continues to strengthen its role in supporting Kenya’s agricultural sector by providing practical, relevant, and demand-driven skills development opportunities.
The University remains committed to fostering partnerships, promoting innovation, and empowering professionals with knowledge and skills that contribute to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and the transformation of key sectors of the economy.
The participants pose for a group photo after the successful training.