Kenyan opposition figure and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has issued a direct appeal to the Government of Sudan to lift its embargo on Kenyan tea imports, warning that the ongoing trade dispute is inflicting severe economic hardship on local farmers and exporters.

In an official statement published via his account on X, Musyoka revealed that he visited the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi to present a formal plea to Ambassador Kamal Jabara Gubara, urging a diplomatic resolution to restore trade relations between the two African nations.

The trade ban was imposed by Khartoum in March 2025 as a retaliatory measure following a deterioration in diplomatic ties between Nairobi and the Sudanese government.

Prior to the embargo, Sudan served as one of Kenya’s top five tea export destinations, purchasing roughly 35 million kilogrammes (kg) of tea annually valued at approximately $70 million.

Writing on X, Musyoka detailed the immediate impact of the policy, noting that when the restriction took effect, tea worth more than $24 million was already in transit or awaiting shipment, leaving 207 forty-foot containers stranded at the Port of Mombasa.

According to Musyoka, more than 3.44 million kg of tea, worth over $10.3 million, remains stuck in warehouses in Mombasa.

“These teas cannot easily be redirected to other markets, leading to substantial losses for exporters, depressing auction prices, and ultimately reducing the earnings of Kenyan tea farmers,” Musyoka wrote on X.

Appealing for a commercial reset, Musyoka urged Sudan to allow the resumption of imports to protect agricultural livelihoods, support thousands of tea farmers, and safeguard long-standing economic ties between both countries.

He expressed gratitude to Gubara and embassy officials for engaging in constructive dialogue, expressing hope that discussions will lead to a positive resolution for both Kenya and Sudan.

–ChannelAfrica–