By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, August 6, 2026 - Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has appealed directly to the Government of Sudan to lift its ban on Kenyan tea imports, warning that the prolonged embargo continues to inflict heavy losses on exporters and thousands of tea farmers.
Kalonzo, a former Vice President and member of Kenya's United Opposition, said he delivered the appeal during a visit to the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, where he presented what he described as a plea for the restoration of tea trade between the two countries.
"This morning, I visited the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Nairobi to personally present a plea to the Government of Sudan for the lifting of the ban on Kenyan tea imports," Kalonzo said.
The ban, which took effect in March 2025 following the deterioration of diplomatic relations between Kenya and Sudan, has cut off one of Kenya's most lucrative tea export markets.
According to Kalonzo, Sudan has traditionally been among Kenya's top five tea export destinations, importing about 35 million kilogrammes of tea valued at approximately US$70 million (about Sh9 billion) annually.
He said the embargo disrupted shipments already destined for Sudan, leaving tea worth more than US$24 million stranded, including 207 forty-foot containers at the Port of Mombasa.
"To date, over 3.44 million kilogrammes of tea, valued at more than US$10.3 million, remains in warehouses in Mombasa after being specially blended and branded for the Sudanese market," he said.
Kalonzo noted that the tea cannot easily be redirected to alternative markets, resulting in substantial losses for exporters, lower auction prices and reduced earnings for tea farmers.
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Appealing for the resumption of trade, the opposition leader said reopening the Sudanese market would provide much-needed relief to the sector.
"I appealed to the Government of Sudan to consider lifting the ban and allowing the resumption of tea imports from Kenya. Restoring access to the Sudanese market would help protect livelihoods, support thousands of tea farmers, and preserve the longstanding economic ties that have benefited both our nations," he said.
Kalonzo thanked Sudan's Ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Jabara Gubara, and embassy officials for receiving his delegation and listening to their concerns.
"I remain hopeful that our discussions will contribute to a positive resolution that benefits both Kenya and Sudan," he said.
The appeal comes as stakeholders continue to push for a diplomatic solution to the trade dispute, which has left millions of kilogrammes of Kenyan tea lying unsold and deprived the country of a key export market.