Nairobi, 21 September 2022 (TDI): As part of relief efforts following flood devastation that has so far afflicted at least a third of Pakistan, Kenya Tea Agency Development (KTDA) has given tea worth Sh4.23 million to Pakistan’s flood victims.
In response to the appeal made by High Commission of Pakistan in Nairobi, Kenya Tea Development Agency, donated 11.6 tons of tea for the flood affected people of Pakistan. KTDA handed over the tea to High Commissioner of Pakistan at the High Commission of Pakistan today. pic.twitter.com/k6VBhfngTa
— Pakistan High Commission Kenya (@PakinKenya) September 19, 2022
Over 735,000 animals have died and 2 million acres of crops have suffered, affecting the nation’s food sources. Hence, the gesture has immense significance as the flood-affected country has been going through a food crisis.
David Ichoho, the Chairman of KTDA stated on the occasion that the donation is the embodiment of the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kenya. Kenya stands by Pakistan during its hour of need.
The consignment was handed over to the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Kenya, Saqlain Syedah, in Nairobi. It is noteworthy that Pakistan is a critical consumer of Kenyan tea.
Floods in Pakistan
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the monsoon season in Pakistan often brings torrential rain, but this year’s has been the wettest since records have been kept in 1961.
The Indus River has overflowed due to torrential monsoon rain that was 10 times more than usual, effectively turning it into a long lake that is tens of kilometers wide.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority, rainfall in the southern regions of Sindh and Balochistan has been 500% over average as of August 30, engulfing entire communities and fields, razing buildings, and destroying crops.
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Similarly, at least 5,000 kilometers of highways have been affected, and more than 1 million dwellings have been damaged or destroyed.
As per Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister, Sherry Rehman, more than 33 million people, or roughly 15% of the population have been impacted.
Kenya Tea Agency Development
About 600,000 smallholder tea farmers located throughout 16 tea-growing counties in Kenya control KTDA, a private enterprise. KTDA (H) and its 8 subsidiary firms are owned by 54 tea companies, of whom the growers are stockholders.
To accommodate the extra leaf, some of the 54 tea manufacturing enterprises have grown by establishing satellite plants in their local areas. The total number of tea factories owned by smallholder tea farmers is 69, including the 15 satellite plants.
The eight affiliate businesses that are held by KTDA (H) enhance the tea value chain. These businesses include Kenya Tea Packers Limited, KTDA (Management Services), Majani Insurance Brokers, Chai Trading Company Limited, and others.
Pakistan-Kenya Ties
Relations between Pakistan and Kenya were established in the 1960s when Pakistan declared its support for Kenya’s bid for independence from British rule.
Pakistan offers a variety of courses and training programmes to Kenya, including junior-level diplomatic courses, advanced diplomatic courses for diplomats in the middle of their careers, advanced railway courses, courses in international central banking, international commercial banking, and training for the postal service.
Likewise, Kenya received aid from Pakistan in 2006 and 2011 respectively. Kenya additionally helped Pakistan in the wake of the 2010 floods.
In terms of trade, Kenya sold commodities to Pakistan for KES 256 billion ($2.8 billion) in 2012. Kenya’s primary exports to Pakistan are coffee, tea, industrial supplies, petroleum, and transportation machinery.
In terms of export values to Pakistan, food and beverages account for 45% of the total. Pakistan’s primary export to Kenya is rice. After the UAE, in Asia, Pakistan is Kenya’s second-largest export partner country.
