The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings Ltd has officially commenced the recruitment of a new Group Chief Executive Officer, a move seen as a critical turning point for the country’s tea sector.
The search follows the retirement of long-serving CEO Mr. Wilson Muthaura, who has proceeded on terminal leave. Eng. Francis Miano assumed the role in an acting capacity effective January 16, 2026, to oversee the transition.
KTDA Holdings Chairman, Mr. Chege Kirundi, confirmed on Monday that the position has attracted 50 applicants, including five internal candidates from the organization’s senior leadership.
The Chairman emphasized that the Board is committed to a transparent, merit-based selection process to ensure the agency remains a stable pillar for Kenya’s agricultural economy. An independent recruitment panel has been engaged to manage the shortlisting and interview stages to eliminate bias.
“The selection will be guided strictly by competence, sector knowledge, and leadership capacity, rather than personal connections or external influence,” Mr. Kirundi stated.
The recruitment comes at a high-stakes time for the agency, which manages processing and marketing for over 600,000 smallholder farmers. The incoming CEO will be responsible for navigating challenges such as climate change, rising production costs, and volatile global tea prices—all of which directly impact farmer dividends and factory efficiency.
The recruitment process will involve rigorous competency-based interviews, objective assessments, and thorough background checks. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be invited for assessments in the coming weeks, with the final appointment to be announced upon the conclusion of due diligence.
