Wamuchomba Says Kenya Must Fix Tea Sector Before Dreaming of Becoming the ‘Singapore of Africa’

Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has cast doubt on Kenya’s long-standing ambition of becoming an economic powerhouse similar to Singapore, arguing that the dream cannot be achieved while the agricultural sector — especially tea — is sinking under heavy taxation and weak policy support.

Speaking on Sunday, December 7, Wamuchomba said it is unrealistic for the government to keep promising economic transformation when the country is weakening one of its biggest sources of foreign earnings.

She said the tea industry plays a major role in stabilising Kenya’s currency through export dollars, yet legislators and policymakers continue introducing laws that only burden farmers.

“If the tea sector collapses, the dream of becoming like Singapore will remain just that — a dream,” she said.

According to Wamuchomba, Kenya cannot claim to support its agriculture-based economy while a single crop faces multiple levies, deductions and fees before export value reaches farmers. She said current reforms, instead of strengthening farmers, are draining them.

Her criticism comes at a time when farmers across tea-growing regions are complaining of shrinking payments despite increasing input costs.

Wamuchomba argued that the Tea Amendment Bill currently being studied poses further danger, saying it introduces new charges at a time when producers are already exhausted.

“How does development happen when farmers are taxed from every corner? Instead of reducing burdens, we are adding more,” she said.

She expressed fear that the new proposals could erase decades of progress that small-scale growers have made and undermine Kenya’s global competitiveness.

Wamuchomba further claimed that Parliament was no longer protecting farmers, saying it has become an institution that only endorses executive decisions without scrutiny.

“The parliamentary space is captured,” she said. 

“Instead of defending farmers, we pass laws that increase their burden. It pains me.”

She noted that local farmers struggle to break even while Kenya continues to rely on imports of products the country already grows.

In the same speech, Wamuchomba explained what she would do differently if given a chance to lead the country.

Her stance was clear — Kenya must prioritise what it produces, reduce reliance on imports and ensure domestic industries grow.

She said her first step would be to stop importation of tea, coffee, milk and eggs, arguing that Kenya produces high-quality options but lacks systems to add value locally.

“How are we importing instant coffee when our own beans are among the best globally?” she asked.

“How are countries that don’t have a single coffee tree selling coffee to Kenya? We are not short of potential — we are short of decisive planning.”

Tea and coffee processors have recently blamed slow progress in local value-addition on policy instability, expensive credit and unfair competition from foreign products.

Over the past year, senior leaders, analysts and economists have questioned whether new taxes, reduced purchasing power and a weakening agricultural base align with the country’s vision.

Singapore succeeded by building strong export systems, competitive industries, and deliberate investment incentives. 

According to Wamuchomba, Kenya cannot say it is heading in the same direction when its export pillars are weakening.

She maintains that the country must first stabilise earning sectors like tea before setting ambitious global economic comparisons.