Rukuriri Tea Factory came alive with celebration as 1,013 farmers proudly graduated from an intensive training program under the Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Program (MSuLLi) at one of the farmers Mr Kagondu.
This was no ordinary event—it was the birth of a new chapter for tea farmers, one where sustainability, productivity, and environmental stewardship walk hand in hand.
Empowering Farmers, Protecting the Future
The MSuLLi program, run in partnership with Rukuriri TESAS officers and the Rainforest Alliance, is designed to do more than just train. It transforms. Farmers learned how to:
Promote Climate-Smart Farming – adapting practices that boost yields while responding to climate challenges.
Protect Forests & Water Sources – ensuring the lifeline of Mount Kenya continues to nourish generations.
Improve Farmer Income – through sustainable practices that raise tea quality and market competitiveness.
Support Community Projects – empowering farmers to lift not just themselves, but entire communities.
Build Partnerships & Training Networks – creating lasting connections with organizations that share the same vision.
A Day of Recognition and Celebration
Each graduate, dressed proudly in uniform, received a certificate of achievement—symbols of discipline, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. The host farmer was specially recognized for embodying all the principles taught during the training.
The event was graced by the Director of Agriculture from the Embu County Government, alongside a strong representation from the Rukuriri Tea Factory leadership:
Mr. Joseph Rwanjau – Chairman
Mr. Enos Njeru – BM
Mr. Peter Mwaniki – Vice Chair
Mr. Bethuel Muchangi – Director
Mr. John Mbogo – Director
Mr. Levenson Suma – Director
Also present were members of Rukuriri’s dedicated management:
Mr. Franklin Kinoti – Factory Unit Manager (FUM)
Madam Jane Gaichuhie – Field Services Coordinator (FSC) (in representative of the other managers)
The Power of Partnerships
The ceremony also brought together MSuLLi officials, Rainforest Alliance representatives, and trusted partners from the financial and insurance sectors, including Daima Sacco, County Sacco, Nawiri Sacco, Unaitas Sacco, Chai Sacco, Greenland Fedha, and Majani Insurance. Their presence symbolized the power of partnerships in strengthening farmer livelihoods.
A New Era Begins
This graduation was more than a handing out of certificates. It was the ushering in of a new generation of farmers—empowered, knowledgeable, and determined to cultivate both prosperity and sustainability.
As the Rukuriri Tea Factory family, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all 1,013 graduates. You are the beating heart of this factory, and your hard work, dedication, and resilience continue to inspire us all.
Together, we will keep raising the bar for quality, sustainability, and community empowerment.
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